Preparing Your Home To Sell

Proper preparation can make all the difference when buyers come to see your home. One of the most important aspects of selling your home is ensuring that it is presentable for showings. This means making sure that your home is clean, organized, and inviting. This includes appealing to not only sight, but also smell and sound! In this blog post, we will cover some best practices for preparing your home for showings and open houses. Are you a checklist person? Head here to find our ultimate checklist to help you get started.

The first step in preparing your home for showings is to declutter and clean it. This means removing any unnecessary items and organizing the remaining ones. You want potential buyers to be able to visualize themselves living in your home, and clutter can be a major distraction. It's also important to thoroughly clean your home, paying close attention to areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Don’t forget about those in between spaces - clean baseboards, moldings, and window sills show potential buyers that your home has been well taken care of. A clean and organized home will make a great first impression on potential buyers.

When potential buyers come to see your home, they want to be able to envision themselves living there, that's why it is so important to depersonalize your space. This can be difficult if your home is filled with personal items such as family photos and other personal mementos. Consider removing these items and replacing them with neutral décor that will appeal to a wider range of buyers.

Make sure your home is well-lit. Proper lighting can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your home. Make sure all light fixtures are working properly, and consider adding extra lighting to dark areas such as hallways and closets. In addition, you want to make sure that all the lights you have are cohesive - keep all bulbs the same strength and warm or cool depending on your home's decor. If you have a gorgeous chandelier, and the bulbs are visible, make sure to elevate your home by removing those swirly or basic light bulbs with ones that visually raise the value of your home. A well-lit home will feel more inviting and spacious to potential buyers.

Don't forget about the outside of your home. Creating curb appeal can be as simple as mowing the lawn, trimming bushes and shrubs, planting flowers, and adding a welcome mat! Some other great tips include re-painting your front door and trim, adding potted plants, and making sure your home's address is clearly visible from the street! You want potential buyers to be excited about seeing your home, and creating an attractive exterior can help make a great first impression.

When it comes to preparing your home for showings, the small details may not seem important, but they can actually make a big difference. It is so important to put your best face forward. Making your bed creates a sense of order and cleanliness in the bedroom, which can help potential buyers see the space as inviting and peaceful. It also shows that you take pride in your home and take care of it. Similarly, emptying your sink and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy can make a great impression on potential buyers. A clean and organized kitchen can be a major selling point for many buyers, and it can also help them envision themselves cooking and entertaining in the space. Air out your home and get a subtle plug-in air freshener. Buyers can be turned off by even the smallest odor. This is especially important for pet owners, parents, and smokers. Cleaning your carpets, polishing your floors, and wiping down stainless steel appliances and stained woodwork can make a world of difference. By paying attention to these small details, you can help create a positive impression on potential buyers.

Leaving your house for showings and open houses is an important aspect of preparing your home for potential buyers. When someone comes to see your home, they want to be able to envision themselves living there, which can be difficult if you're present. Your presence can be distracting and make it harder for the potential buyer to explore the space like it’s their own. Additionally, leaving your home allows potential buyers to feel more comfortable asking questions and expressing their thoughts without worrying about offending you. It also gives them the opportunity to take their time and explore the space at their own pace. If you're worried about having people in your home, rest assured! Every single buyer must be accompanied by a licensed real estate agent! Still a little worried? There are in-home security measures you can take such as ring doorbells, in-home security cameras, and motion sensor alarms. No matter what makes you feel comfortable, at The Path Home Team we follow up with every agent that brings a buyer into your home to get feedback on the condition, price, and interest.

Approving showings in a timely manner is an important aspect of selling your home. When a potential buyer is interested in seeing your home, it's important to respond quickly to their request for a showing. Delaying or ignoring a request for a showing can make potential buyers feel like you're not interested in selling your home or that you're difficult to work with. It's also possible that they may move on to another property if they don't receive a timely response from you. By responding quickly and approving showings in a timely manner, you can create a positive impression on potential buyers and show them that you're serious about selling your home. This can increase the likelihood of receiving offers and ultimately selling your home.

There is also an awesome opportunity called Go-And-Show. This is where showings are automatically approved and you can get a text or email notification. We can still set the parameters of when potential buyers can come see the home, and even give you anywhere from 1-3 hours of lead time, so you have time to plan and go do something fun! This allows potential buyers to view the property at their convenience. Go-and-show showings are often preferred by sellers because they offer greater flexibility and can make it easier to schedule.

Preparing your home to sell can be a lot of work, but it's worth it in the end. By following these best practices, and diving into our checklist, you can help ensure that your home is presented in the best possible light and increase your chances of selling it quickly and for the best possible price.