Tips to Get Your House Ready to Sell This Fall

No one wants to invest money in a home they are trying to sell. After all, they’d rather have that money to put toward one of the new homes in Grand Forks ND that they’re planning to buy. Yet the reality is that unless your home is in pristine shape, you’re going to have to do some work — and invest some money — to get your home ready to sell, especially during the fall months when there are often fewer buyers. Don’t do the minimum and see how things go, because a home that hasn’t sold after the first month may make buyers think there is something wrong. Start strong from the beginning to have a better chance of selling quickly.

First and foremost, declutter and depersonalize. Clean off all of your cute magnets and children’s art off the refrigerator. Put your collections in storage, ready for the move. Pare down the number of family photos and other personalized items. A few family photos are fine, but buyers may have a hard time seeing themselves in a home that is too personalized.

This also means clearing out closets and cupboards. Potential buyers are going to open them all. If stuff falls out, they’ll think there’s not enough storage in the home. Purge and pack things you won’t be needing now or ever so that any storage areas look spacious and ready to fill. Plus, by packing and purging, the actual move will be easier when the time comes, as much of the work is already done. Store packed boxes in the garage, basement, or in separate storage if they’re taking up too much important space in your home.

It’s important to make any repairs in advance of putting your home on the market. Look at your home as if you’re a potential buyer — and be honest. Has the carpet seen better days? Replace it. Is the dishwasher broken? Fix it, replace it or remove it completely. Consider that updated appliances will allow you to ask more for the home, whereas missing or broken appliances will reduce your sale price. Buyers generally don’t want to do a lot of work on a new home. At most, they want to paint rooms in their preferred colors. They definitely don’t want to deal with plumbing or electrical issues, so make sure those are done in advance. Otherwise, your home price will drop as buyers factor in the costs.

Similarly, if parts of your home aren’t up to code, such as a basement, make sure you get the permit and have everything up to code. Home inspectors will come across items like this and it could derail a sale.

If you can’t afford to invest a lot in major upgrades, at least make sure your home is pristine and that the walls and floors are in good shape. A fresh coat of paint in a current neutral tone can do wonders, and make sure floors and carpet are clean and not damaged. That is one area where it really is worthwhile to make repairs, because it makes a strong, visual impact.

You’ve probably seen home buying shows and wondered why some buyers are unable to use their imagination to see past certain decorating choices or colors. That’s a reality with some buyers, so it’s best to make your home as neutral as possible, almost like a high-end hotel. Leave it neutral enough for them to imagine putting their own mark on the home. By doing this prep work before your home goes on the market, you’ll have a better chance of selling your home quickly this fall and at a better price. That means you may soon be in one of the new homes in Grand Forks ND, where you can start adding your own touch once again.

Categorised in: Design Tips, Fall Tips, Grand Forks ND Info, New Home Tips, Selling Tips, Things To Do

This post was written by Crary Real Estate