Preparing your home to put it on the market is a big job, without a doubt. There are so many things to plan for and so many people who need to be involved that it can truly be overwhelming, especially if you have a large home or one that needs a lot of love before you can put it up for sale. For that reason, it’s best to start early so you can take your time. Selling and buying a home can be one of the most stressful things you’ll go through in life, but it doesn’t have to be; there are some things you can do to make it a bit easier.
Getting organized will help. Start by making a list of what each room needs, and come up with a budget for repairs and minor updates. Work out a schedule for cleaning, and get the family involved. If you have pets, there are certain considerations you’ll need to make, such as removing stains and repairing any damage to flooring or window treatments.
Here are a few of the best tips on how to get started with getting a home ready to sell.
Get rid of pet odors
Getting rid of pet odors and stains is sometimes harder than it sounds, especially if you’ve been a pet owner for a long time, but it’s imperative to give potential buyers a clean, odor-free home to walk into; in fact, it may be a dealbreaker if you don’t. Carpets, furniture, and window treatments should all be cleaned well. Consider using enzyme-based cleansers, which will help deep-clean rugs and remove stains.
Look for update potential
Updates within the home can run the gamut from inexpensive DIY to take-out-a-loan-and-hire-a-contractor, so it’s important to do some research before making any decisions. Look at the kitchen and bathrooms first, as these are usually the rooms that potential buyers look at when they want extras. Lighting, cabinets and storage solutions, and expensive-looking countertops and fixtures are just a few of the things buyers look for when they tour a home, and they can add quite a bit of resale value if they’re done right.
Don’t forget the yard
Both the front and back yards should be well-manicured and should have no traces of your pets. Consider doing some light landscaping in front to give your home some added curb appeal; a few brightly-colored flowers, some neat shrubbery, and some fresh mulch can make a world of difference and won’t break the bank. Around back, fill in any holes and lay fresh sod. If you have a pool, it should be clean and have safety measures for children, such as fencing or a motion sensor alarm.
Don’t get personal
Remember that your home is on display for someone else. It should have touches of your personality but not too much; you want to allow the buyers to see themselves living there rather than simply walking through someone else’s memories. Remove personal photos and take one piece of furniture out of each room to make them feel bigger.
Plan for moving day
Don’t forget to plan for moving day! It’s especially important to make sure your pets will be safe and comfortable during this chaotic time, so consider hiring a pet sitter for the day. Or, you might decide to hire a boarder who can take your pet in during the entire week so you can focus on the move without worrying about his safety or mental health. Make packing lists for each box you pack so you’ll be able to find things easily in the new house, and leave a few empty boxes for moving day so you can bring cleaning supplies and personal items like medication.
Moving can take a toll on any family, so take the stress out of selling your house by making sure it’s perfect for potential buyers. Start by making a list of tasks so you can stay focused, and aim to get a little bit done every day rather than all at once so you won’t be overwhelmed.
Post was written by Erin Reynolds of diymama.net
Photo via Pixabay by Paulbr75