Getting your house ready to sell is a lot easier than you might think. Most of the time, you don’t have to make costly improvements or remodels. You just need to spend time on some minor tasks that will get you the highest price for your home.
Of course, keep in mind that if you have major issues (like a non-working HVAC unit), you need to either fix or disclose those problems. But if your home is in good condition with no big issues, you can probably list your home within a couple of weeks. Just make sure you do these three things first.
Declutter
Decluttering your space will make the home much more appealing to prospective buyers. This means removing knick knacks and excessive decor, cleaning out your closets, and removing junk from under the beds. One reason for this is to give the illusion of space. That doesn’t necessarily mean making the home look bigger than it is; it really means showcasing the space that’s there. Think of how quickly a room can close in on you when it’s filled with junk.
Another reason to declutter is to allow potential buyers to better imagine themselves living there. You want them to be able to visualize the space as their own, with their own family photos and keepsakes rather than yours.
While you’re decluttering, go ahead and start packing. Get a storage unit if you need to, but start to pack up stuff you’re not using. Leave only the essentials in your home. This goes for pans, cooking utensils, clothing, linens, and decor. This process will help prepare you both emotionally and physically for your upcoming move.
Call in the professionals
Almost every home has some minor issues in need of repair. Maybe you have leaky faucets, sagging doors, cracks in the walls, broken locks, or running toilets. Whatever they are, if you can’t fix them yourself, now is the time to hire someone else to do it.
Go through your house and make a list of all the little things you need a professional to fix. Then, get recommendations from your neighbors on the best handyman for the job. You might even check online for reviews and prices before making your choice.
If you have any problems with insects or mice, this is also a good time to call the exterminator. Nothing will kill a sale faster than an open house where roaches or mice make an appearance. Instead, call someone who specializes in residential pest control so you can make sure the only guests attending are humans.
Stage your home
If you were to ask any realtor how to “sell my house fast in Sacramento”, he or she would tell you to stage your home well. And you don’t need to get carried away or spend a fortune to do it.
Simple things like a fresh coat of paint, some tasteful throw pillows, and nice rugs can make a big impact. If your furniture is outdated or worn, consider borrowing furniture from a friend or just removing those pieces.
When painting your rooms, keep the colors fairly neutral, but stay away from stark white, which can make a room feel cold. Instead, use grays and beiges that add some warmth and depth without overpowering the space. Also, if you didn’t remove your personal items during the decluttering process, now’s the time to do so. Take down your family photos and replace them with simple pieces of art if you have it.
If you don’t feel that you have the eye for this type of thing, there are plenty of people who stage homes for a living. Your real estate agent probably even has a list of professionals you can hire.
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