Selling a home is a little more involved than just sticking a “For Sale” sign in the front yard and waiting for an interested buyer to drive by. Selling a home—especially if you’re hoping to make some decent money in your sale—takes time and planning. That’s why you’ve got to start now if you want to sell your home in a few months.
Here are some things to do now so you’re ready to sell your home come springtime.
Finish Those Repairs
Are there any lingering home improvement projects you’ve been putting off? Any dripping faucets, squeaking floorboards, or hanging shutters you’ve been pretending not to notice? Before you even think of selling, you’ve got to take care of those repairs; most buyers don’t want to walk into a big maintenance project.
Start your maintenance projects now so you’ll have plenty of time to complete them thoroughly and cost-effectively.
Make Small Upgrades
How could your home be just a little bit better? Upgrades don’t have to be big things—like bedroom additions or kitchen remodels. Something as simple as upgrading your lighting or replacing old bathroom faucets can do wonders for making your home look more modern and up-to-date. Take some time to consider things in your home that are or appear old or worn (carpets, doorknobs, shingles, roofing, doors, appliances) and consider the cost of replacing them.
Making small upgrades now means having more time to figure out what’s cost-worthy to replace… and having some time to enjoy those little upgrades before you sell.
Declutter Your Storage Spaces
Not only do clear and organized storage spaces look good to potential buyers, they can also make moving much less of a hassle! Go through closets, your attic, basement, and garage, and any outdoor storage spaces and get rid of any unneeded or unused clothing or items. This will free up your storage spaces (making them look bigger), and give your house an overall more organized appearance. And you’ll have a lot less to pack when that time comes.
Depersonalize & Neutralize
While you’re cleaning out your closets, you might also want to consider the things more prominently displayed around your home, like decor, family photos, and even paint colors. When showing your home to potential buyers, you want them to be able to picture their lives in your home… which can be a bit hard to do with your family photos peering down from the walls.
You may also want to tone down any particularly bold decor or paint colors—not every buyer is going to love your bright-red accent wall, while most probably won’t take offense to beige or other neutrals.
Boost Your Curb Appeal
You’ve spent some time working on the inside; now it’s time to tackle the outside of your home. What’s the first thing any buyer’s going to notice about your home? How it looks from the road—the curb appeal. Simple fixes and updates—fresh paint or power washing, new house numbers, a new front door—can do a world of wonders for your home.
Once we get closer to spring, you’ll definitely want to spend some time on your landscaping, too, making sure your grass is mowed, maybe adding some flowers around your front door. But even in winter, it’s important to make sure your trees and shrubs are trimmed. And always keep your driveway and walkways clear of ice, snow, and leaves.
Find a Top-Notch Local Agent
One of the most important things you can do—any time, anywhere—when selling a home is to team up with a local agent. Not only can an experienced agent help you price your home accurately based on similar sold homes, a good agent can also help with the preparation steps of home selling, too.
If you’re thinking of selling a home in Cable, WI this spring, now is the time to contact McKinney Realty. We’re here to help you out every step of the way, from list to close.