5 Tips for Preparing your Home for Sale
A homeowner contacted me recently after a long, frustrating stint trying to sell their house. Their gorgeous home had languished on the market with few results and little-to-no showings and they were looking for answers.
Knowing they'd began with another agent, I wanted to first explore how their previous realtor prepared their home for sale. What were his strategies to attract prospective buyers? How did (or didn't) he showcase the home's unique attributes? What did he do to make this house stand-out?
As we talked, I realized there were three huge errors holding this listing hostage. First were the repairs: several small things, easy fixes, the other agent didn't feel the need to correct. He'd covered them up with furniture and knick-knacks, unknowingly creating a roadblock to buyers who don't feel like tangling with a fixer-upper.
Second were the upgrades. The house itself had over $50,000 worth of upgrades—luxury improvements other homes in the area didn't have. These appealing additions were not adequately addressed in the original listing, omitting huge selling-points that would have seriously set this property apart.
Ignoring the audience was the third mistake. I knew, from my own experience, that this area attracted lot of empty-nesters. Spacious, family-friendly highlights weren't doing this listing any favors.
Neglecting these three key features painted a picture completely outside the reality of what the house truly was, dooming it to sit on the market without so much as a bid.
And that's where I come in: preparing your home for sale involves positioning it in a way that both attracts buyers seeking specific features only your house provides and appeals to the particular audience looking to buy in that area. Together, using my experience and expertise, we will prepare a one-of-a-kind, custom plan for selling your property. You won't have to worry about your home languishing on the market or having a rushed, obscure listing targeted to the wrong buyers. At the end of the day, this is something we both need to feel great about.
So, let's take a look my five quick tips for prepping your home for sale.
5 Tips for Preparing your Home for Sale
1. Know Your Audience
You need to know exactly who you’re selling to, so your marketing tells a story that appeals to buyers on an emotional level. A compelling story, one that includes every good thing about your abode, gets people through the door and writing offers.
2. Understand Your Budget
Part of preparing your home for sale is understanding what you can realistically do up-front and managing your expectations of what the home-selling process will be. You need to know your pricing strategy and how much you can put into your home in order to get a certain amount back. Nothing sours a selling experience faster than runaway spending.
3. Have a Clear Timeline
Know what you need to achieve and in what timeframe. Really breaking down the timeline and understanding the little goals you need to hit along the way helps you feel less overwhelmed, makes the process more enjoyable, and ensures your transition between homes is as seamless as possible.
4. Focus on the Details
Both buying and selling a home are emotional experiences, and sometimes the details can get lost. You want make sure you're creating a comfortable space for your visitors. Beyond repairs and everyday cleaning, there are certain small details that help a home feel inviting. Here are some of my favorites:
Fresh flowers add a calm, living energy, making a home feel lived-in.
Ensure the landscaping looks mature and the flower beds are full; you want people to feel like they’re walking into an oasis.
Make sure all light fixtures are modern, operational, and clean. Finish those tiny repairs, too. These seemingly inconsequential details add up, distracting buyers from fully experiencing the emotional ambiance of your space.
5. List with Confidence
Be proud! Take a beat to appreciate all the hard work you and your agent did to get your home show-ready and looking its absolute best. It's hard not to get excited once your home hits the market, so celebrate the little wins along the way and have confidence in the accomplishment of getting your house ready for sale.
I love what I do. I love collaborating with homeowners to get their house prepped and ready to sell. My main goal is to help you feel secure in the decisions you make throughout the selling process. Having an agent you can trust is exactly the same as asking your friends and family for advice but with the added bonus of experience. Whether it’s recommending contractors, bringing in professional organizers, crafting custom marketing materials, or cheering you on: I'm here to ensure your next step is the best step.
We’ll work together to help you sell with confidence.
If you're looking to buy or sell your home and don't know where to start, send me a message. Let's figure out what's best for you.