There are a multitude of Real Estate professionals that will advise you on the “Top Ten” items that will result in your home selling for top dollar – but ironically seldom are the lists the same. We all know that your home should be clean, and its first impression (curb appeal) should be good – and it’s always best if those holes in the wall made during the kids’ “wrestling match”, Fido’s “accident” and that red wine stain from the last party are…fixed.
When you are ready to sell your home, your first step is to become objective – it is no longer your home, it is now a house….and it is going to compete with other houses. Price, location, improvements, condition, lot size, landscaping, amenities – all of these will come under scrutiny, just the same as they will when you are looking to purchase a home.
You will not necessarily recoup all your investment in improvements. I have had many people avow that they “put $ 30,000 into it, so the house is worth that much more…” While in some cases that may be true, few people are going to compensate you for renovations that they do not value…even if they technically are worth it.
Establish a mini budget to get your house ready for sale – small repairs should always be made – sagging eaves troughs, cracked/broken glass, repairing drywall, leaky faucets, chipped, torn flooring, permanently stained carpet to name but a few. (We have a program to help you with this stage. For larger projects, you need to decide whether or not the investment will be recouped upon sale, and I can help you with that as well.) Fresh coats of paint in todays’ colours are always worth the expense.
De-clutter and de-personalize! Consider renting a storage space if necessary. This is truly a case where less is more – you want to show off the house, not your belongings. Pack up personal photos and knick knacks, clean out closets and storage spaces, clean out the garage – this is important.
Once the minor repairs are completed and you have de-cluttered, then your next task is to ensure it is spotless. If you do not have the time (or energy after all that de-cluttering), consider the services of a professional cleaning crew – it can be well worth it.
Now your property is in good repair, has its best “face” on, and is de-cluttered and spotless. You are ready to have others come in and see if your house is for them, and they will critically compare it to other similar properties on the market. So price is very, very important.
But making sure it is in good repair, has had a “facelift”, is de-cluttered and is spotless will ensure you get the most money for your house.
