Selling your home is the start of the next exciting chapter in your life, where you have the possibility to create new adventures wherever you feel drawn. Making the process as easy and quick as possible is not as difficult as one may think and can be assisted with just a few simple steps. Many of these things can even be done before you have a realtor, allowing you to get started right away and feel no need to wait. Or, you could have your realtor assist you with it all to have the ultimate, stress-free real estate experience.
1. Focus on curb appeal
As the first thing prospective buyers will see when they come to view your property, curb appeal can be a crucial factor in having your home sell quickly and for the highest price. Having your landscaper put down some fresh mulch, planting some new, vibrant flowers, and power washing the walkways can increase buyers' interest in the property and is sure to get them in the door for a showing. This is especially important for buyers who are out of state and will be primarily looking for homes based on pictures alone. If they are searching for Chico homes, for example, you want to ensure your property beats the nearby competition. A newly refreshed exterior compels prospective buyers to open up the listing and learn more, as people are indeed known to judge a book by its cover.
2. Make any necessary repairs
Our homes tend to be the center of our world, and as such, they are likely to bear the marks of a life well-lived. It is expected for homes to need some repairs as time goes on, even if they are small, otherwise insubstantial things. For example, maybe there is a drawer in the kitchen that gets stuck sometimes or a doorknob that wiggles a bit. Fixing these small things can hugely impact prospective buyers, as it will prevent them from finding things to be unsure about.
Additionally, consider repainting your walls a light neutral color if they are not already. This helps create a blank slate for prospective buyers, allowing them to imagine their own decor and personal style throughout the home. When those prospective buyers are coming to open houses, we want them only to see the potential that a home offers and not be unable to find things to be particular about.
3. Declutter and depersonalize
Decluttering and depersonalizing your home will make it easier to move out once the time comes fully. It will also increase prospective buyers’ abilities to imagine their own families in the space. You do not have to make the home sparse, but it can be good to take a minimalist approach and leave surface areas, shelves, and mantles relatively clear. Additionally, you may consider leaving closets, drawers, and cabinets decently clear. That way, buyers can get an accurate idea of how much space is truly available for storage.
As for depersonalizing, it is recommended that sellers pack items such as family photographs and sentimental mementos first so buyers do not see the property as belonging to someone else. If they can picture what it would look like to make memories in the space with their family and friends, it can increase the likelihood and the speed of an offer.
4. Finding the perfect agent
You can hire a real estate professional as early into the process as you would like. This way, you will have ample time to interview agents in the area, ask them questions about their past transactions and what they can do for you, and see if your personalities match well. Having a real estate agent on your side who you feel comfortable with and know you can trust is key to a successful transaction and can make the process all the more enjoyable.
The right real estate professional will understand that selling a property is no small feat, and it can be an emotional one as well. Having someone by your side to shoulder the burden and lessen your stress leaves you free to focus on making plans for the future and imagining your soon-to-be-had adventures. Not to mention, a real estate professional will have expert knowledge of the current market and will know all the tips and tricks for getting buyers in the door as soon as your home listing is made active.
5. Setting expectations
In order to truly get a jump-start on the home-selling process, it is important to set your expectations for the transaction and make plans for what you will do once the property is officially sold. Your real estate agent will be able to give you a better idea of what the timeline will look like, with the understanding that the industry can be a bit unpredictable at times. Timeless may shift due to any number of variables, but your realtor will be in contact with you during the entire process to ensure you are always up to date.
If you already have a new property to move into, you may even want to have the majority of your belongings brought over or even fully move to have the subject property unoccupied. This could greatly help the speed of the sale, as your property would truly be move-in-ready for the new buyers. Your real estate agent would be able to arrange home staging if you do decide to move out before the sale to ensure the property is picture-perfect.
Work with Jesselle Cook
Jesselle Cook is a real estate professional who proudly serves her community using her experience and charm. She is best known for her Chico, Tehama, and Glenn County real estate knowledge and is always looking to assist new clients in their endeavors. Jesselle loves connecting with her clients and understands the value of building long-lasting business relationships founded on trust. Whether you are looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate, Jesselle would be more than happy to sit down and talk with you about your plans.
