With the right guidance and a solid plan, you can avoid costly mistakes, reduce stress, and sell your home for more money. This guide will help you get started. It should be easy to see why working with a real estate agent is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Get Your Home Ready to Shine
Before your home goes on the market, it’s important to make it look as clean, open, and welcoming as possible. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the space, so the goal is to help them do it. Start by decluttering every room. Remove any extra furniture and pack away personal items like family photos or bold decorations. The more space and simplicity you create, the better your home will look and feel.
Next, give everything a deep clean. Pay special attention to kitchens, bathrooms, and floors. Make sure windows, baseboards, and carpets are spotless, and take care of any pet messes or odors. A clean home sends the message that it’s been well cared for. While price is the #1 reason houses don’t sell, there can be other red flags.
Now is also the time to fix anything that’s broken. Even small issues like a leaky faucet, a squeaky door, or a burned-out lightbulb can leave a bad impression. It’s a good idea to double-check that major systems like heating, plumbing, and roofing are in good shape too, since those can be big red flags for buyers.
Once things are clean and repaired, focus on staging. You can open the blinds to let in light. Adding fresh flowers or houseplants can bring life to a space. Using neutral throw pillows or blankets make a space feel warm and stylish without being too personal. While you don’t have to hire a pro, it’s often a good idea. They know what sells from both experience and intuition.
Finally, don’t forget the outside. Curb appeal matters. Mow the lawn, trim overgrown trees or bushes, and pressure wash the porch if it’s dirty. A fresh coat of paint on the front door or some new house numbers can make a surprisingly big difference.
You don’t have to get everything perfect, but a little effort goes a long way. Making your home feel move-in ready helps it stand out. That can lead to stronger offers over asking prices.
Get Your Paperwork in Order
Selling a home involves more than just cleaning. You’ll also need to gather important documents and fill out required forms. This is one area where your Realtor can save you a lot of time and headaches.
Documents to prepare include:
- Property disclosure forms (where you list known issues with the home)
- Title and deed documents to prove you’re the legal owner
- Repair or upgrade receipts and warranties
- Pre-listing inspection reports (if you decide to do one)
- Listing paperwork like MLS forms and contracts (your agent will help with these)
Your Realtor will double-check that everything is filled out correctly and submitted on time. This will prevent you from running into delays later.
Why the Right Realtor Makes All the Difference
You could try to sell your home on your own, but that often leads to missed deadlines, pricing mistakes, and lower offers. A professional Realtor does much more than just put a sign in the yard. Here are a few of the ways they can help:
- They know what’s worth fixing. A Realtor can tell you what upgrades will pay off, and which ones to skip.
- They market your home like a pro. From photos and videos to open houses and online listings, they’ll make sure your home gets noticed.
- They handle the paperwork. Contracts, disclosures, and legal steps are all part of their job.
- They set the right price. Using local data and experience, they help you list your home at a price that attracts buyers without leaving money on the table.
- They solve problems. If something unexpected pops up during the sale, like a bad inspection or a buyer trying to back out, they know exactly what to do.
- They usually sell for more. Homes listed with an agent typically sell faster and for more money than those sold by the owner. In fact, about 21% of for sale by owner sellers eventually hire an agent.
Ready to List? Don’t Go It Alone
Prepping your home for sale takes work. But, you don’t have to do it all yourself. This article can help you feel more confident, but a Realtor can take the pressure off your shoulders. You’ll be guided through every step and can avoid making costly mistakes. A professional Realtor will make sure your sale stays on track. And in most cases, they’ll help you walk away with more money in your pocket.
A top real estate agent will help you get the results you deserve and make the entire process a lot easier. So, if you’re getting ready to sell, talk to the Martin Feinberg team. You can schedule time below to speak with Martin directly.