How to Get Ready to Sell Your House
If you’re thinking about selling your house - well, let me tell ya, now is an AMAZING time to be a seller! It’s an absolutely crazy seller’s market right now, with the majority of houses here in Las Vegas selling in 30 days or less, and usually with over asking price offers, waived inspections and appraisals, minimal repair requests, and more. So it’s pretty safe to say, if you’re been wanting to sell your house, now is a great time! But regardless of how strong the market is right now, there are always a few things you can (and should) do to get ready to sell your house. Here’s my top tips on how to prepare to sell your house (and get top dollar for it!):
1. Don’t Overprice
Some sellers might be tempted to list their home for over what the true market value is because they think they can get away with it. But the truth is, this can really hurt you! For one, overpricing your house may push it out of potential buyers’ price range, which means they probably won’t even see it. Two, overpricing can cause your home to sit on the market longer - and the longer it sits, the more buyers are going to think something is wrong with it, which can cause it to sit even longer. Don’t sabotage yourself, and list it for what it’s really worth (and honestly, with the market the way it is right now, it’ll probably go for over asking anyway!).
2. Make Some Upgrades (But Not Too Much)
I’ve seen sellers go overboard making upgrades to get ready to sell their house. And some can be good (such as a fresh coat of paint or updated light fixtures), but going all out and making MAJOR upgrades probably isn’t a great thing to do right before listing your house. If there are some things you want to upgrade, stick to small things that don’t break the bank!
3. Clean and Declutter
Okay - I know this sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many houses I see on the MLS and even in person that are a complete mess! Sure, it’s a wild market and a lot of houses are selling regardless of how messy they might be - but taking the time to clean up at least a little can make a big difference in how appealing your home is to potential buyers! It really doesn’t take that much time to go through, declutter, and make sure your house is clean before listing photos are taken and showings are scheduled. Personally, a messy house turns me off to it pretty quickly, and I don’t think I’m the only one!
4. Don’t Forget Curb Appeal
You only get one chance to make a first impression! The same goes for your house. Obviously, the first thing buyers will see when they get to your house is the outside. So, don’t forget to take the same care you’ve given the inside of your home to the outside, too! Trim the trees, mow the lawn, and clean up the driveway. Or, if the outside of your house looks a little drab, consider planting some inexpensive flowers or shrubs to add some color!
And don’t forget your entryway, because while their REALTOR® is getting the key and opening the door, your buyers are going to be looking around. Make them feel welcome by adding a nice doormat, getting a plant, or putting a fresh coat of paint on your front door.
5. Get Professional Photos Taken
This is more on your REALTOR®’s end, but it’s worth asking if they plan on getting professional photos taken of your home for the listing. I see a lot of agents try to get away with iPhone photos, and it shows! High quality listing photos can make a huge difference!
6. Be Ready to Show at All Times
I know it can be a pain, but when your house is on the market, you need to be ready to show it at any time. You never know when a potential buyer is going to want to see it! While you get ready to sell your house, try to keep everything as nice and clean as possible - that way you don’t have to scramble cleaning and picking up when someone wants to be there in an hour. It can be a hassle, but it’ll be worth it!
Most of these are small things, but can make a big difference while you get ready to sell your house! Keep in mind that even the smallest changes can make a big difference. And even though some things can be an inconvenience while you’re selling your house, it will pay off!
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