If you’re selling your home, your to-do list might feel like an insurmountable mountain right now. People say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do, and listing your own home is just a small part of a huge list of tasks. To make sure you do a great job and give your house the best chance of getting the highest possible price, there are a few key things that you should concentrate on.
From how to set your house up for success during viewings to how to present your home in its best light online, here is everything you need to know as homeowners when it comes to listing your own home for sale.
Iron out any last-minute problems.
If you’ve lived in your home for a while, there might be little quirks and issues that you live with every day and hardly notice anymore, but that might put off a potential buyer or force you to lower the price. If a sale is coming up, this is the perfect time to get rid of any long-standing problems with light fixtures, ceiling fans, wiring, and so on, that might cause issues for your further down the line. For anything relating to dangerous things like wiring, it’s a good idea to bring on a professional. Plus, they will likely also know what kind of electrical work might need to be done to make a house ready for sale.
Finding a full-service company, like Tampa Electricians as one example, to fulfill your electric needs means that they will be able to handle a full electrical service in house. This makes it easier to stay within budget, as you won’t need to hire multiple different companies to complete the job. For full peace of mind, it’s a good idea to book an electrical service, even if you don’t think anything is wrong. Any good electrician will be able to give your home a clean bill of health, which will go over well with prospective buyers.
Add value where you can.
Your home is likely well-loved by you and your family, but you should also start thinking of it as an investment when it comes to putting it on the market. One great way to increase the return on your investment is to increase the value of your home. Is your kitchen sorely outdated? Consider a refurbishment to modernize your home. Are there modern security features? Many people are looking for digital security and video cameras in homes nowadays, so you might want to think about putting some extras like these in.
A pool is another excellent example of a great asset that is very attractive to many would-be homeowners, especially in places with warmer climates. For example, pool companies in Lakeland, Florida often add ground pools to homes pre-sale. If at-home swimming pools are popular in your area of the world, then it might be worth looking for a free estimate to see how much it would cost and how much value it would add. For such a high-cost investment, it’s also wise to seek advice from a realtor and do some research to see how big of a difference it could make to the selling price.
Declutter and restyle.
It goes without saying that your house needs to look good in photos for the listing and a clean home is vital. That doesn’t just mean wiping down countertops though; for putting a house on the market, you might need to go one step further than that. If you have outdoor patio areas, consider jet washing them to remove the build-up of dirt and grime. You should also be brutal with how much clutter you have; are you really going to take it all with you to your next home? Clear out what you can to improve the aesthetics and allow people to imagine their own belongings in your house.
To help their imagination, you should also redesign your home with neutral styles and patterns, particularly if you have any rooms with bold colors. Homeowners are always looking for a place that they can make their own, so if there is too much of your own personality left behind, that process will be even harder for them.
Clearly define each room.
At the same time as your redecorating efforts, take some time to define each room’s identity. As we spend more time in our homes, the lines blur between the different purposes. You might spend time working in the living room, while the toy room has slowly turned into a workout space. Think about the demographic you are likely to be selling to and what rooms they would be looking for. Make sure your rooms match up with their expectations and they will be more likely to see themselves and their lifestyle within your home when looking at it as a listing or in person.
This process will also make it easier to write detailed descriptions and encourage people’s imaginations to run wild when it comes to their new home. Be emotive and descriptive in your listing; if there are rooms that could be multi-purpose, describe the possibilities in detail. You want to really captivate the reader with your words and make them want to see and find out more.
Take plenty of high-quality photos.
Even as you spend time working on the written descriptions, it’s also true that a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why you need to make sure you have high-quality photos that show off the best features of your home. Take them on a clear day where there’s plenty of sunlight, make sure everything is clean and tidy, and either uses a good quality camera or hire a professional. It’s better to have too many photos than too few, so don’t hold back on photo day.
Once you have all your photos taken, make sure to keep them safe. Finding a great product for photo storage is vital, especially if you don’t end up using all of your photos immediately. Keep all of the photos in their original size in an online storage option, then select the best photos for the listing. If you’re good with Photoshop, do your best to brighten them and show off the house in every photo. Remember that prospective buyers might want more pictures, so make sure to keep them safe even after the listing has gone live. You never know when they might come in handy!
If you bear all of these tips in mind, then your house is sure to have the best possible chance of fetching a high price. Once again, remember to think of your home as an investment now; the more you can make from it, the better house you can be further down the line. Take the time and effort to maximize its potential and your family will thank you for it down the line! Stay tuned in to what’s popular in your neighborhood and try to emulate high-value properties. It might not take much for your home to go from an average house to a dream home, so why not take these extra steps listed here if it might earn you big money later on?
