Home Selling Checklist: Things to Do Before Selling Your House

Selling a property is a task like no other – there are so many things to consider. Luckily, we have come up with a short list of things you should keep in mind, if you want to have the best chances at selling your home for the desired amount.

Consider your curb appeal

Unfortunately, when it comes to buying property, people tend to judge the book by its cover. This is only natural, no one wants a house that has cracked paint and a messy lawn. Get out and look at your property from the outside – is there anything that would be off putting to potential buyers? Cracked façade, paint peeling off of the fence, unkept lawn, etc. You ought to fix these issues before going on the market.

Depersonalize your space

While it may be heartbreaking, but it is essential that you depersonalize your property. It may be painful to get rid of all these wonderful quirks that testify to your life spent in that space, it is important for you to understand that other people will be living in that space, and you have to make room for their memories. Family photos, paintings, toys, bold furniture, or anything that might distract your potential buyers from picturing themselves living there should be removed.

Repaint walls in neutral tones

Your goal is to create a blank canvas for your buyers, so they can imagine themselves starting a new life in your former home. So, no matter how much you love that accent wall you have in the bedroom, or that mural you painted for your kids in their room, you should paint over it with a neutral color. Remember, your buyers have to be able to imagine your property as their future home, and having “you” all around the place will make that much more difficult.

Find a great real estate agent

You definitely need to get busy looking for a good real estate agent. This is the easiest way for you to ensure that you’ll get the best possible buyers, without having to go through the process alone. A good agent has in-depth knowledge about the market, potential buyers, and will make sure that everything goes smoothly. Feel free to interview a few different agents before you make a decision. It is also wise to hire a good lawyer, since there are a lot of legalities you might miss, so for any questions or issues, we recommend hiring great property conveyancing lawyers in Essendon. They will certainly make the whole process much easier.

Declutter your space

Having too much furniture is never good when showcasing your property to potential buyers. Firstly, cluttered space can make the rooms seem much smaller and too crowded, and that may have a negative effect on your buyers. Secondly, just like getting rid of your personal items, having clean spaces makes it easier for your buyers to picture their items in your property. Lastly, buyers may trust you more if they see a well-organized space, since it makes you look more like a professional.

Add some plants

Plants can do wonders to a space, especially if it’s big. They add a dash of warmth and serenity to your home, and they fill empty walls and corners perfectly. Plants don’t seem to overcrowd a space like extra furniture, because they can be moved around. They also brighten up living areas, and they make your home seem more welcoming, without necessarily making it seem to personalized.

Fix any leaks and cracks

Just clearing extra furniture and décor isn’t enough, of course. You need to address any leaks, cracks, and loose screws, if you want your home to have the best chances on the market. Nobody likes loose door or kitchen cabinet handles. Also, leaky faucets should be replaced. These tiny details can make your buyers think about other things that might be wrong with your property, and you don’t want them to doubt whether your house will make them a fitting home.

Clean your space

The most obvious of all – your place should be spotless before viewing. That means you should clean things you never thought of cleaning, and once you’re done cleaning – clean everything again. Every stain, spill or skid mark is a big no-no in the eyes of your buyers. You want to get rid of all the evidence that you once lived in your property, so repaint your walls, scrub everything spotless, and deep clean your furniture, rugs and carpets.

As you see, there is a lot more to selling a property than meets the eye. So, consider this list, and get to work. All that scrubbing, cleaning and repainting is no easy job. Luckily, we guarantee it’ll pay off in the end.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith