Once you’ve decided to move, you might feel a rush of adrenaline. The prospect of buying a new home and starting afresh can be energizing. Selling a house will likely be part of the process; so, you might be eager to slap a for-sale sign in the yard right away. That’s usually a bad idea.
A primary goal in selling a house is to get the best deal you can, which may not happen if you don’t prepare well. Before you put your home on the market, look at it with new eyes — the eyes of a buyer. There are several things you’ll want to do before opening your doors for showings.
Selling a house should include these preparatory steps
When visiting your home for sale, a potential buyer must be able to imagine living there and feel excited about the idea of owning it. Selling a house may be an easier (and shorter) process if you do these things first:
- Make necessary repairs and upgrades.
- Stage the interior and exterior of the house.
- Hire an experienced real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the community, as well as the current real estate market in the area.
Each of these pre-sale steps is beneficial in several ways when selling a house if your goal. Is it possible to get an offer on a home without doing these things? Yes, it is, but chances are you won’t be getting the best deal possible.
What to repair and upgrade? That is the question
You don’t want to go sinking a ton of money into renovations before selling a house; however, making repairs and upgrades is a critical step to take before putting your house on the market. Make sure carpets, flooring, rooftops, etc., are in excellent condition. A coat of fresh paint on the walls (in a neutral color) and minor repairs to fixtures, cabinetry, etc., will help get your home in tip-top shape to sell.
Why staging before showing is a key to success
While it isn’t necessary to hire a professional (although it’s typically a good idea), you’ll want to stage your home (inside and out) before the showings. This includes removing most personal items (family pictures, knick-knacks, etc.) from each room, as well as making sure there is no clutter, garbage, dirty dishes or laundry, bad odors, and other issues that may cast a negative impression. Outside, the lawn, trees, flower beds, etc., should be trimmed and neat. Curb appeal matters.
In fact, it’s a good idea to walk out onto the street and look carefully at your house and yard. Is it appealing? If not, determine the problem and try to resolve it before showing the house.
Not all real estate agents are good at their job
When selling a house in Columbia or nearby regions in South Carolina, it’s helpful to hire a real estate agent who lives and works in the area. Such an agent may know things about the community to interest buyers, such as information about schools, local economy, amenities, activities available, local history, and more.
An experienced agent can also conduct research to determine the selling price. Setting the price right from the start increases your chances of success. A price too high or too low will not be in your best interest. The right agent can make selling a house a low-stress and pleasantly memorable experience.