Putting your house on the market can bring out a lot of emotions. Stress, uncertainty, and excitement are all feelings that come along with getting your house ready to sell.
The experts at Home-Tech are here to provide an interesting outlook on the top five tips for getting your house ready to sell. We provide a unique perspective because we’re in the appliance, HVAC, and home service warranty industry.
Our close relationship with Southwest Florida realtors and brokers, as well as our access to MLS, gives us a leg up on understanding what buyers are looking for.
Table of Contents
Research Your Local Housing Market
This one is obviously the most important and should be researched carefully. Consider the following questions:
- How much did your neighbors’ homes sell for?
- What types of upgrades do other people in the neighborhood have?
- What amenities does your neighborhood or area have that others may lack?
These questions are best answered with the help of your realtor, but there are also some simple things you can research yourself.
You can usually assess the situation of your neighborhood by simply taking a drive around. Do you live next door to an older home with less proof of upkeep? Make yours stand out by enhancing your curb appeal. Are there any homes with similar colors as yours with great landscaping? Frame your home with similar flowers! Understanding comparable sales in the neighborhood to find an appropriate price to sell your home is integral, but knowing what will make your house stand out is also important.
Showcase Your Home Properly
Once you’re ready to sell, it’s time to invest in some high-quality photos of your home. With most buyers having access to websites like Zillow and Realtor, there’s a trend of buyers investing in a “blind sale.” A “blind sale” is someone purchasing a house based on the pictures and description alone. Having professional photos can really help the buyer feel confident going with your property; they can get the best idea of what the house looks like.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with using your own camera, but be sure the photos come out clear and well-balanced. If you know your photography skills are lacking, hire a professional or enlist a family member or friend who understands the art of photography. Countless times, potential buyers overlook homes because the first photo they see is dark and dreary. Put yourself in the buyers’ shoes; what would you want to see on a virtual listing? Good lighting and a clutter-free home are both appealing and easy to achieve.
Minor Repairs
As housing prices continue to rise here in SWFL, you’ll want to ensure your home is worth the listing price for the smoothest sale. Small wear and tear you’ve accumulated over the years should be repaired before showing the home. Although the market is hot now, buyers are all the warier when they see potential upkeeping tasks. Something as simple as a broken doorknob could cause a potential buyer to choose a different property with less work.
Aside from ensuring all aspects of your home are functional, one of the cheapest and easiest ways to take years off your home’s life is to paint the walls. A simple coat of paint can brighten the room and cover scuff marks and other signs of wear.
As an appliance and air conditioning repair company, Home-Tech also specializes in Home Service Warranties (Service Agreements). This covers your major appliances and AC systems, which allows people to budget for common, yet expensive, repairs.
If your home has outdated appliances and you’re afraid it might prevent it from selling, adding the promise of a Home-Tech Home Service Warranty can help. The buyer will see that although the appliances are old, they’ll be able to depend on a Home-Tech home warranty if something should break. Even if you have new appliances, a home warranty can add a unique feature to help you stand out from other listings.
Depersonalize
I’m sure you’ve made plenty of memories in your beloved home, but it’s time to let someone else envision themselves flourishing in a new house. Try to strike a balance between portraying the home as a comfortable place to live and leaving it to the buyers’ imagination. The general rule of thumb is to put away a third of your stuff.
Hiring a professional home stager could help with this process. After all, it’s hard to decide which memorabilia will appear heartwarming and which will seem too personalized to the potential buyer.
Declutter
As a large part of depersonalization, you should also declutter. To get your house ready to sell, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. You’ll be able to store the recommended third of your personal memorabilia, as well as anything you would rather a stranger not see.
When people have guests over, they typically stick random clutter in the closets and storage spaces but keep in mind that potential buyers want to see that storage space. Not only will decluttering make your home seem more put together, but it’ll also make it appear larger.
Is Your House Ready to Sell?
If you’re ready to complete these steps, then you’re ready to sell! During this exciting time, don’t forget to call Home-Tech with any appliance, air conditioning, and Home Warranty questions. Whether you need your AC repaired before a showing or are interested in providing your buyers with a Home Service Warranty, we’re here for you! As an employee-owned company, we’ve been in Southwest Florida since 1981. We know the SWFL housing market and should be used as a great resource for homeowners!