Do These 6 Things Before You Put Your House On The Market

Selling a home can be a stressful time. In addition to finding a new place to live, you've got to put up with strangers walking through your personal space, evaluating offers, and making sure your home is ready for the inspection process. But putting your home on the market doesn't need to be a fraught process. Taking a few steps before you list your home can help to de-stress the process and maximize your chances of getting a great deal. Check out our list of six things to do before you put your house on the market.

1. Find A Great Agent

Looking for an agent might not seem like an obvious first step before listing, but the truth is, a knowledgeable real estate agent is essential for every step on this list. An agent can help you understand the particularities of your local market, know what repairs to make (and which ones to skip), and can help you get prepared for a sale that maximizes your return on investment. An agent with strong local knowledge can ensure that your home is prepared, and that you're taking the steps that are most appropriate for your market. 

A great agent can also help you understand what to expect after you list your home. If you're listing in a particularly hot market, for example, you may want to consider waiting to list until you've found a suitable replacement property. Conversely, if homes stay on the market for a little longer in your neighborhood, your agent can help you time your listing to ensure that you can make your transition easier. 

Your agent can also provide insight into the process of selling itself. From explaining the contingencies you and the buyer will likely request, to the inspection process, all the way through what to expect at closing, your agent can ensure that you are comfortable with the process before you get started.

2. Consider A Pre-Inspection

A pre-inspection can be a great way to identify the small issues with your property that can become an issue once your home is under contract. Making some repairs even before you list your home can help to ensure a smoother process following your buyer's inspection. A pre-inspection can also help you to evaluate the repairs your buyer requests following the inspection, and have a more solid understanding of the repairs you should agree to make. 

3. Get Ready To Make A Great First Impression

For better or worse, buyers' first impressions matter. Science tells us that people tend to make a judgment within their first seven seconds of an encounter, and that those early judgments tend to carry through to their evaluation of everything that follows. For sellers, those first impressions mean that your home's curb appeal matters. Cleaning up your front yard, ensuring that your home's exterior doesn't have any broken siding or other flaws, and even painting your front door can all combine to create an impression in your buyer's mind that your home is the one they want, an impression that may lead them to overlook small flaws once they step inside. 

4. Declutter And Depersonalize

When it comes to the interior of your home, it pays to be ready for potential buyers before you even start the listing process. The homeselling process tends to be unpredictable — having your home ready to sell on day one can help to ensure that you're ready for anything. Tackling clutter, especially in your home's living areas, and depersonalizing your space by removing photographs, sports memorabilia, taste-specific art, or other personal items can make sure you're prepared if the perfect buyer walks through your door right after you list your home.

When most of us think about decluttering, we think about getting rid of piles of paper and items on visible counters and surfaces, but a pre-sale decluttering should be more thorough. For example, taking items out of your closets can make them seem larger and more functional. Clearing out garage spaces is also a valuable way to showcase your home's storage to potential buyers. If necessary, renting a storage space for your less-frequently used items can help you get 

Decluttering may seem like a tough task to tackle, but according to HomeLight, decluttering alone can boost your expected asking price by up to $2,500. 

5. Get Out Your Paintbrush!

Painting is a relatively low-cost way to make your home seem new, refreshed, and well-maintained to potential buyers. Especially if you have very personal color choices in your home, painting in a neutral color can make your home seem more spacious and clean, as well as giving potential buyers the chance to envision themselves in the space. 

Light colors tend to accentuate the home's natural light, as well as making your space seem larger to potential buyers. In making your paint color choices, stick to blues, grays, and light greens, as these colors tend to enhance potential buyers' sense of well-being and calm while they visit your home. 

6. Deep Clean

When you're thinking about selling, a top-to-bottom deep clean is a must. Cleaning those frequently-neglected areas like ceiling fans, underneath and on top of appliances, baseboards and crown moldings can all help to ensure that your potential buyers get a great impression of your home. If you don't regularly engage a cleaning service, this can be a great time to consider a professional deep cleaning of your home, making sure that it is ready for a parade of visitors without adding an additional burden to your already busy schedule.

When Home Means More, You Need a Team With More to Offer

Ready to find the team that will make sure your homeselling journey is an unqualified success? Your local Baird & Warner agent is here to help make the journey easier from beginning to end.

Home is about so much more than just four walls. Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and with everything we experienced in the last year, our homes have never been more important. That's why your local Baird & Warner agent is with you at every step of the way, with the tools and support you need to make your real estate journey easier — including in-house connections with local experts in mortgage and title. 

So whether you're looking to move up to a place with more space or getting prepared to downsize, your Baird & Warner agent can help you through every part of the buying and selling process.