Selling a house is easier when you take some time to prepare yourself for this important transaction. It’s also a good idea to prepare your house to make it more appealing to homebuyers ready to buy.
These few tips will show you how to get your house ready to sell.
1. Research your local housing market
It will be difficult to sell your house if you can’t list it for the right price because you don’t know how much it’s worth. To be able to estimate the value of your house, you have to research your local market.
Look at local listings and pay attention to properties similar to your house. See what these homes are worth to understand how much you should ask for yours.
Of course, a real estate agent can help you estimate the value of your house.
2. Work with a real estate agent to list your house
If selling a house sounds complicated and stressful to you, be sure to work with a great real estate agent. They will advise you while you get your house ready to sell. They will list it for you and guide you through the entire process.
When you work with a great agent, you can manage to sell your house much faster. The agent will also know the ins and outs of the real estate market. Their knowledge will empower you to list the Surrey homes for sale at an optimal price.
3. Thoroughly clean your house
To get your house ready to sell, you must keep it clean. Clean all surfaces thoroughly, mop the floors, and wash the walls and the windows.
Be sure to eliminate any stain you can find and eliminate any weird smell lingering in the air. If there are carpets in your house, it’s particularly important to clean them thoroughly, as carpets are notorious for holding on to stains and bad smells.
4. Take care of repairs or hire a professional to do it
Did you get used to your leaky faucet, squeaky bedroom door, or those small holes in your living room wall? Potential buyers visiting your house will notice these issues, which could make them change their minds.
Take care of small repairs to get your house ready to sell. If your house needs some major repairs, it’s best to hire a professional to do it for you.
If you don’t have that much money to invest in your house before selling it, you at least have to be able to present potential buyers with an estimate of how much the needed repairs will cost.
5. Paint the walls with neutral colours
If some of the walls in your house are painted with bold and vibrant colours, it’s best to give them a fresh coat of paint before visits start.
Not everyone enjoys colourful walls, so your house will be more likely to appeal to potential buyers if you paint it with neutral colours such as white, grey, or beige.
6. Update your kitchen
The kitchen is the most important room in your house. Potential homebuyers might not be impressed with your house if it looks outdated.
Suppose you have the means to renovate your kitchen before listing your house. This will be a worthy investment, as a newly updated kitchen will add value to your property.
At the very least, consider repainting or refinishing the cabinets and updating the fixtures. This simple way to make your kitchen look more modern without spending a fortune.
7. Help buyers envision themselves living in your house
When potential buyers visit a house, they want to envision themselves living there, with their furniture and belongings. It will be more difficult for them to do so if your house is cluttered with your items and your children’s toys.
Make things easier for buyers by storing a part of your possessions. Remove excess furniture, family photos, keepsakes, toys, and any political or religious items.
And if you have a pet, try to find a temporary home for them while you welcome potential buyers into your house. Not everyone likes animals.
8. Stage your house to make it more appealing
If you have already moved out and your house is empty, you will need to stage it with furniture and a few decorative items. Potential buyers will have difficulty imagining themselves living in your house if all the rooms are empty.
On the other hand, a staged house feels more welcoming without being too personal. You can either stage your house yourself or hire a professional to do it.
9. Ask a photographer to take photos of your staged house
Once your house is clean, decluttered, and staged, you will need high-quality photos for the online listing.
It’s probably best to ask a professional photographer to take these photos for you, as they will know how to take great pictures that will help attract potential buyers.