Things You'll Need:
- Paint
- Vacuum
- Lawn mower
- Pruning sheers
- Trusted neighbor
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Step 1
How much is your house worth? Get an accurate appraisal from a reputable lender. Next, hire a licensed real estate agent and have him or her run comparison properties (comps) to see what the local market is doing. This is important because pricing the house even 10% too high can eliminate up to 30% of potential buyers before they even look at it.
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Step 2
The first thing buyers will see is the outside of the house, so make sure the outside looks nice. Does the trim need painting? Is the siding in good shape? How's the yard? Do the flowers look nice? Bushes trimmed? Are there branches overhanging the walkway? Remove all potential obstacles, both real and imagined, to encourage buyers to come inside.
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Step 3
Once the buyers have walked inside the door, what will they see? Buyers want to imagine what the house will look like as their home, not yours. So put away as much as you can. Rent a storage unit for large items that take up too much space for the buyers to get a real grasp of the house. While your home decor is probably lovely, buyers may not share your taste. Consider removing your elephant collection from the end table and repainting that bright neon green wall a more subdued neutral tan or off white. Don't let your personal taste interfere with a prospective buyer's decision.
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Step 4
Keep the house neat and tidy. The "lived-in" look doesn't sell houses. Clean, clean, clean. You want buyers to notice the house, not the dirt. Dust, vacuum, scrub the tub, pick up toys, do the dishes. Do whatever it takes to make your house spotless. Pay special attention to stashing personal valuables. You don't want Grandma's antique necklace to "walk away" during an open house.
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Step 5
Finally, when you're all done getting your house prepped (or "staged"), invite a trusted friend or neighbor, preferably someone who doesn't come over much, to walk through the house and review what you've done. Ask them for their honest opinion, as an objective third party, with an eye for what buyers will see. Listen to their feedback and take notes.
These tips, coupled with help from a licensed real estate agent, will make your home-selling experience more enjoyable and profitable.
