Things to Do Before Selling a House
If you’re looking to sell your house fast, you have to prepare it for the market. Overnight sales are a myth. Selling a property requires preparation, the right time, and tact. Every real estate professional will prepare a checklist before selling a house.
Alex, what’s this checklist?
The pre-sale checklist, as we call it, is the holy grail of selling a house. Think of it as getting to know your home before moving to the next step. Jon claims “to start with inspecting all layers of the property to get to the gooey center.” And every real estate professional follows this to the T.
Top Things To Do Before Selling A House and Why
As someone interested in selling their home, your mindset is oriented towards getting it done. But there’s a ton of background work that goes into selling a house. Our process caters to three essential aspects before selling a home.
1. The Exterior Condition
A renowned broker in Philadelphia explains that “the exterior of a home has a primary impact on the perceived value.” In layman’s terms, it caters to external features like the roofing, siding, etc. According to Jon, “outdated external features cost a lot of money for buyers to fix and are a strong reason why such properties remain on the market for long.”
The exterior of the property is also the first facet the buyer will see at an open house. One of our agents strongly advises that “when the exterior is in disrepair, you can rest assured that potential buyers will be put off. So, say goodbye to the offer.”
Another agent believes that “buyers can be unpleasantly surprised by an outdated exterior, and any amount of staging the open house cannot fix that feeling.” In reality, the exterior of the property and the overall showing go hand in hand.
Now, what can you do to maximize returns? Consider upgrading the external features. JLC suggests that “replacing siding pays for itself in added value when selling the property.” And we found that rustic siding is a popular choice.
2. The History of The Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel
I highlight the importance of the kitchen and bathroom as “the most frequented spaces in a home.” Similar to a dish scrub, these two spaces witness wear and tear, scratches, and marks almost daily.
Things that could go wrong in a kitchen and bathroom include:
- Falling out of repair.
- Damaged appliances.
- Chipped tiles.
- Scratched countertops.
- Dirty paintwork.
To get the best price for your property, the kitchen and bathrooms should be in top-tier condition. Appropriately styled renovations for these spaces are essential. Using outdated materials can be a red flag for potential buyers. For example, laminate countertops have long been replaced by quartz countertops. Find something that matches the theme of your home.
Additionally, you should coordinate with real estate professionals to ensure that these renovations will add value to the property.
3. The State of the Foundation
The foundation is the bedrock of a solid home. Any reliable and efficient real estate professional will check the state of the foundation before listing the property. Inspecting the foundation covers:
- Cracks
- Uneveness
- Air leaks
This step is particularly crucial for wood-frame properties. These types of foundations are prone to fire hazards, mold, and even low energy efficiency. In comparison, the insulated concrete form system is less likely to experience these problems. But the foundation must be checked.
Summary
An investment at the right time will yield a high return when the property is sold. You need to be smart and prepare for things before selling a house.
