Ultimate Home Sellers Checklist

CLEAN AND DECLUTTER

Cramped rooms are a buyers turnoff, so make sure you open up and  brighten each room. Start with the furniture-remove the oversized  pieces, or those that don’t fit the room’s main purpose. For example,  get rid of one of your living room end tables, and remove the desk from  your family room Buyers should see that there is enough space in the  house for their needs.

Next, look at your countertops, shelves and in cabinets. keep the  Knick knacks to a minimum, and the decor neutral so buyers can easily  picture bringing their lives into your home.

MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS

There are two kinds of repairs you should consider before selling  your home. The first are cosmetic repairs. These are the “nice tohaves”  for buyers, and the associated costs should be relatively low. Repaint  rooms to be less bold, and replace outdated light fixtures or hardware.  The overall goal is that your home should feel fresh and modern.

Second, you should get a presale home inspection to determine any  fixes that could affect your home’s ability to sell. Like a roof leak,  cracked ceiling or missing door handles. Buyers can use these to  negotiate your selling price down.

GET CURB APPEAL

Picture yourself as a buyer pulling up to your home for the first me.  The lawn is well cared for, the landscaping is impeccable, the front  door has a fresh coat of paint. These natural observations set the tone  for the entire walk through, so don’t underestimate the importance of  curb appeal.

HIRE AN AGENT, SET A PRICE

On average sellers who use a real estate agent tend to get a better  price for their property than sellers who choose not to hire an agent.  Agents understand the local marketing practices necessary to sell your  home.

OFFER UP YOUR HOME’S HISTORY

There is a lot of public record data out there, but wouldn’t you  rather buyers hear it directly from you? Create a simple binder  showcasing the price you paid, past owners and price history, and any  upgrades you’ve made to the property. Include a page with recently sold  data of similar homes nearby, so buyers know that the neighbourhood is  in high demand!

GET READY FOR SHOWINGS AND OPEN HOUSES

When a buyer is coming to look at your property, it’s important that  you leave your home for the dura on of the visit. Make sure your home  looks and smells clean, and then get out of Dodge until they’ve left.