16 Things Real Estate Experts Say You Should Do ASAP to Sell Your Home
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Completing home repairs, giving your walls a fresh coat of paint, and deep-cleaning every single room in your house may seem counterintuitive if you’re getting ready to move out and don’t truly get to enjoy all the fruits of your labor. But the real reward comes when you start receiving full-price offers on your for-sale home—or, better yet, your listing sets off a bidding war between interested buyers and sells over the asking price.
Right now, housing experts say that low levels of housing inventory are helping sellers keep an upper hand in the real estate market. But markets vary by city, and even if you’re looking to list a home in an area that’s considered a seller’s market, getting your home in tip-top shape before the “For Sale” sign is planted in your front yard can help you sell your home quicker and for a higher dollar amount.
Here's our checklist of 16 things to do before you list your home for sale, according to real estate experts.
1. Take a Temperature Check of Your Local Market
Check the market to see if there are a lot of active home listings or if homes are getting snapped up soon after they list, says real estate broker Bret Weinstein, CEO and founder of Guide Real Estate in Denver.
“If homes are moving quickly, it may signal a strong market where you can be more aggressive with pricing,” Weinstein says. “If not, a competitive price might be necessary to attract offers.”
You’ll work with your agent to conduct a comparative market analysis and watch for changes in nearby listings to stay ahead of trends, he says. It may take you a couple of months to completely prep your home for sale, and the market can experience shifts even during that short period of time. For instance, if interest rates drop, more buyers may jump off the sidelines, bumping up demand and potentially your list price.
2. Hire a Listing Agent
A knowledgeable, experienced agent can help handle every aspect of your sale, says Cindy Raney, Global Luxury Property Specialist and founder of Cindy Raney & Team in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
“Choose an agent who has a strong reputation and local market expertise,” she says. “Look for one who can provide a comprehensive marketing strategy and has a network to attract serious buyers.”
Ahead of listing, interview a few agents to find one that’s the best fit for your home sale. “How much do you think I should list my home for?” is the question that’s front of mind for most buyers. But it’s also smart to ask agents about how they’ll market your property, ask about commissions, and inquire about what costs they’ll pick up—some may be willing to pay for staging or work with photographers that also get video or drone footage for your listing.
3. Get a Pre-Inspection of Your Home
Typically, when you go under contract, the buyers will have a home inspection completed and they may ask you to make repairs that are needed or extend a credit so they can have the fixes completed. If an inspection reveals any big-time repairs, buyers could walk away from the deal and be able to keep their earnest money. This spells trouble for sellers: If your home falls out of contract and hits the market again, it could be a deterrent for future buyers who wonder what kind of problems are lurking.
Enter the pre-inspection.
Many home sellers don't think about taking this extra step, and some are afraid it may bring up unknowns that they will have to disclose on the seller’s disclosure, says Rebecca Donatelli, a Cleveland, Ohio–based Realtor at Sotheby’s International Realty. For instance, a pre-inspection could reveal that you have a water heater leak and you complete mold remediation—you’ll need to reveal that on a seller’s disclosure.
Still, pre-inspections are a good thing, Donatelli says, because they eliminate lots of time and contingencies moving forward.
“If the inspection report provided is detailed enough, many home buyers may waive their inspection because they already have one,” she says.
4. Order a Preliminary Title Report
When your home goes under contract, you’ll want smooth sailing to the closing table. Akin to getting a pre-inspection, you can also spend about $200 for a preliminary title report, says Nick Wemyss, a Los Altos, California–based real estate specialist at Intero Real Estate Services. This is an optional step for sellers, but reports can uncover any potential title issues that could slow or derail a sale—things like liens or easements. If something comes up, you’ll have time to resolve problems before you list.
5. Improve Curb Appeal
“Enhancing curb appeal can make the home feel more inviting and increase its attractiveness as soon as potential buyers arrive, setting a positive tone before they step inside,” Raney says. In fact, curb appeal can help your home sell for 7 percent more, according to a real estate study from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Updating your landscaping, adding outdoor lighting, doing paint touchups on the exterior of your home, and power-washing walkways are all ways to up your curb appeal, Raney says.
6. Depersonalize Your Space
Things like personal photos and your favorite sports team’s memorabilia can be distracting and make it harder for buyers to imagine the home as their own.
“A neutral space encourages a sense of belonging for any potential buyers,” says Weinstein.
His tip: Replace personal photos with simple artwork or mirrors that reflect light, helping to create a more spacious feel.
7. Declutter Your Home
Not only does decluttering your space cut down on the amount of stuff you have to haul with you when you move out, but it also can help your home look larger and more inviting to potential buyers.
After you’ve depersonalized, you can then start removing excess furniture, furnishings, and knickknacks, says Alexandra Gupta, associate broker at The Corcoran Group in Brooklyn, New York. If you don’t have the budget for a stager, she recommends investing in a few key pieces like neutral-colored throw pillows or a clean, modern rug to help set your listing apart.
8. Strategize With Your Listing Agent on Updates
Ask your real estate agent for recommendations on updates and upgrades that could boost your home’s market appeal and increase the sale price, says Laura Heigl, an Indiana-based real estate broker with Century 21 Scheetz and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
“It’s important to detach emotionally from the process and allow professionals to work their magic,” Heigl says. “The goal is to appeal to the largest number of buyers possible. As a general rule, avoid dollar-for-dollar spending on improvements,” she says. For example, $5,000 spent on painting should yield more than $5,000 in sale value.
Starting several months before listing will give you time to collect bids and hire contractors, Heigl says. (Bonus: Your real estate agent likely has strong referrals). Some upgrades might include repainting cabinets instead of replacing them or updating the cabinet pulls, recaulking grout in tiled areas, and having carpets professionally cleaned.
If you’re working with a stager (more on that below) make sure they have experience in your market and prioritize cost-effective, value-boosting updates, Heigl says.
Generally speaking, though, cosmetic improvements that maximize value often include replacing, updating, or refinishing kitchen and bathroom finishes and flooring, says Broker Tate Kelly of Coldwell Banker Warburg.
“New, neutral, and relatively high-quality finishes, even if they are minor changes, can make a huge difference when appealing to a prospective buyer,” he says. “These small improvements make the home look newer than it might actually be, and buyers notice these sorts of details, which leads them to think the home is in mint condition and well-maintained.”
9. Do a 'Smell Test'
When you live in a home day after day for many years, certain smells don't stand out as much to you, Donatelli says.
“But to a potential home buyer, if the smell is off-putting, that could be enough for them to walk away,” she says.
Have a third-party, unbiased person like your real estate agent come in and give their opinion. Fresh paint, removing old carpets, airing out the property, and setting up an air purifier can all help neutralize odors, she says. But avoid lighting candles during the showings because it's a fire hazard, Donatelli says.
10. Fix Scuff Marks
Take a Magic Eraser throughout the entire house to get rid of scuff marks, Donatelli recommends.
“While repainting is a great idea for a refresh or to neutralize a home, it's not always necessary,” she says.
A melamine foam sponge like a Magic Eraser will do wonders for scratch marks and scuffs, and you can buy a pack for under $10.
11. Give Your Home a Fresh Paint Job
If you do decide to paint, the general rule is to opt for neutral wall colors that will help buyers envision making the house their own, says Michele Molitor, managing broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 43° North. You may want to go this route if you have any of these paint colors that experts say devalue your home.
“Touring model homes can provide inspiration for current trends and color schemes,” she says.
12. Stage Your Home
Staging your home creates an inviting, aspirational look, allowing potential buyers to envision themselves in the space rather than being distracted by personal belongings or clutter, Weinstein says.
“A professional stager knows how to highlight a home’s best features and create a layout that makes rooms look bigger and more functional,” he says.
The staged spaces that have the highest influence on homebuyers include the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen, according to research from the National Association of Realtors.
Work with a stager to decide what items to keep, remove, or rearrange. “Aim for a balance between ‘lived-in’ and ‘showroom,’” Weinstein says.
13. Get Your Home Ready for Photos
Deep-clean right before photos, including your windows, Weinstein says. Replace all lighting with higher-watt bulbs with a consistent hue, and schedule interior photos either mid-morning or early afternoon to take advantage of the best light.
“Cleanliness in photos reflects the care and upkeep of the home, while bright, well-lit spaces look more inviting and spacious,” he says. “Consistent lighting also helps create a cohesive look in every room.”
14. Create a Home Maintenance Book
A well-documented history of home maintenance and upgrades gives potential buyers some extra confidence in the care and condition of your home, says Ashley DeHart, a realtor in Clovis, California. It can also streamline the buying process by answering questions buyers might have about the home's past.
Gather all receipts, warranties, and manuals for appliances and systems. Include a timeline of significant renovations or repairs, she recommends. This book can be presented during showings.
15. Gather Your HOA Documents
If you live in a neighborhood that's governed by a homeowners association, start gathering the documents as you'll likely need to provide the buyers with copies of covenants and a recent financial statement. While you don't need to have all of these in hand by the time you list your house, it's a good idea to get the ball rolling in case you need to request them from a management company.
16. Determine the Appropriate List Price
Pricing the home correctly is key to attracting serious buyers and avoiding prolonged time on the market, Weinstein says. A competitive price generates immediate interest and ultimately maximizes the seller’s return. If you price your home too high, you may have to do price cuts and savvy buyers will look at the number of days your home has been on the market to negotiate lower offers.
Rely on a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and your agent’s local knowledge to determine a strategic price, Weinstein says.
“Homes priced correctly from the start often see the highest buyer engagement and avoid the pitfalls of multiple price reductions,” he says.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.
You Might Also Like
