Thinking about selling your home, but not exactly sure where to start?How to Get Your Home Into Shape Before You List It For Sale

If you want to aim for the highest price you can garner, there are some items that you’ll need to ensure are crossed off the list before putting a For Sale sign in the yard. These start with helping your home to show its very best.

Some of the initial items to consider include giving your property an extra dash of curb appeal. This can be accomplished by trimming any overhanging tree limbs and / or sprucing up any bushes or other greenery in the yard. If necessary, you may also want to consider putting a fresh coat of paint on the exterior. Also, pressure-washing the driveway and sidewalk can give your home’s appearance a fresh, clean look.

De-cluttering the interior is also a definite must. Here, be sure to remove any and all personal items such as pictures and certificates that may be on the walls or displayed on dressers or table tops. One reason for this is to make the rooms appear larger. However, doing so can also help a potential buyer to envision his or her items in the home.

If you haven’t lived in your current home for very long and / or if some of the major systems like the water heater and HVAC were already there when you initially purchased it, then you should check the Seller’s Disclosure Statement in order to help you in determining the approximate age of these items. (If you no longer have a copy of this, you may also be able to tell by checking the systems themselves for a sticker or other indication of when they were installed).

Once you’re ready to move forward, the next step is to come up with a listing price. This will typically entail researching comparable properties in the area that have recently sold. Working with an experienced real estate agent can to alleviate you of this duty – as well as the marketing and negotiation aspects – of the process, which can allow you to focus on other things.

If you’re considering a move soon, give us a call. We’ll work with you to come up with the right price for your property, and can also offer suggestions on how to best “stage” your home so that it is appealing to potential purchasers.