Don’t rush to list your property! Simply listing your home in the MLS doesn’t work anymore. Take the time to prep your home and buyers will notice! Buyers do not like to see deferred maintenance. If they see issues in the home, they will use it to negotiate a lower price. Take these essential steps to make your home more attractive to buyers and to maximize your return on one of your largest investments!
1. Organize & Declutter your home.
Decluttering is one of the most important things you can do before selling your home. Buyers want to see an organized space that feels welcoming.
- Clear off bathroom & kitchen countertops, pack away rarely used small kitchen appliances, put away children’s toys, pack up out-of-season clothing, and remove furniture that really isn’t needed and makes the room feel cramped.
- Remove personal items; this includes family photos, personal collections, etc. Our goal is to help a buyer visualize themselves in the space.
- Thin out your closets and pantry to display how much room is available.
- While a clean garage is nice, it is ok to store things in your garage if you don’t have room in your home.
2. Deep Clean.
- Dust EVERYTHING! This includes light fixtures, ceiling fans, and baseboards.
- Clean carpets & tile grout on floors and in showers
- Ensure bathrooms and kitchens are spotless
- Wash windows!
- Don’t want to do this work yourself? Take a look at our Service Provider page for cleaner recommendations including window washers and carpet cleaners
3. Boost your home’s curb appeal (yes, you can even do this if you own a condo!)
- Try a fresh coat of paint on your front door - or better yet, install a new front door.
- Clear out any weeds and debris from around your property.
- Make sure all exterior lights work
- Replace a worn-out welcome mat.
- Paint or replace the street numbers on your house.
- Power wash outdoor surfaces
- Resurface your driveway! It really makes a difference on the exterior appearance of your home.
- If your home needs to be stained, get that done before we take pictures.
4. Get your major systems serviced now!
- Service your heating system and make any necessary repairs. Save the receipts so you can show a buyer.
- Service your fireplace. If it is a gas fireplace, make sure it is working properly. Clean the glass inside and out so it is sparkling clean. Clean the flue!
- Do you have an interior fire sprinkler system? Get is serviced.
- Do you have a septic system? Schedule an appointment to have it pumped, inspected, and certified as this is required before closing.
- Change any filters you might have (water filters, forced air heating system, etc).
- Hot Tub? Get it inspected and serviced and make any necessary repairs.
5. Make repairs now! Don’t wait for an inspection. Buyers do not like to see deferred maintenance.
- Replace any burned out light bulbs
- That drawer that always sticks? Fix it!
- Fix any squeaks or creaks on interior & exterior doors
- Fix anything that is broken.
Are you concerned that you are missing something? Then consider getting a Pre-Sale Home Inspection. For less than $1,000, a professional inspector will assess your home’s condition and identify any potential issues that could raise red flags for buyers. This gives you the opportunity to fix problems in advance, which can prevent negotiations from falling apart later. Identify problems before a buyer identifies them for you.
6. Get estimates for big ticket items!
- How old is your roof? If it is more than 20 years old, the buyer will likely have difficulty getting insurance on the home. If it isn’t in your budget to replace the roof yourself, having an estimate will let you know how much you may need to credit a buyer (or reduce the sales price).
- How old is your boiler/heating system? Does it need to be replaced?
- Windows!! We see broken seals all of the time at high altitude. It is best to replace these before you go on the market, but again, if you can’t afford to do it now, at least get a quote and be prepared to credit the buyer at closing.
- Knowing these costs ahead of time will help immensely during the negotiating process.
Nelson Mountain Real Estate is here to help you with all of these items. We can assist with getting quotes, we can meet repairmen at your home, and make sure to visit our SERVICE PROVIDER page on our website!! These people have been vetted by us or by our clients.