t’s no secret that most of us have been spending more time at home these days as we shelter-in-place. Whether you’ve decided to hold off for now or plan to do it later in the year, now is the perfect time to start working on those projects you simply haven’t had time for!

The more you prepare before officially putting your home on the market, the smoother (and hopefully faster) the selling process should be.

Make Necessary Repairs and Improvements

First, fix anything that is broken — from small things like dripping faucets to big things like the HVAC system. Consider having a pre-inspection as a way to bring any major issues to light before you go to market.

Aside from repairs, you may need to make selective upgrades and improvements. These might include repainting walls and woodwork, or replacing old kitchen appliances. If you aren’t sure what will produce the biggest bang for your buck, ask your agent! They can help you decide which repairs and improvements you should make before listing your home. Another source is Remodeling magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report.

Declutter and Organize

Many of us tend to accumulate things and eventually end up with a junk drawer (or 3) and unorganized spaces. Now that you have more time to spend at home, it’s time to take a page out of Marie Kondo’s book and tidy up!

It can be an overwhelming process, especially if you’ve lived in your home for a long time, so break it down into manageable steps. Start small with a few drawers or a closet. Remove everything and then divide items into piles – keep, toss, and donate. From there, try to create a designated “home” for everything which will help prevent things from getting disorganized as time goes on. If you have a couple of bucks to spend, consider purchasing organization bins from places like Target, The Container Store, etc.

Also, consider removing extra furniture during the decluttering process. Rooms look bigger with fewer pieces of furniture. You of course may want to keep some of those items, so consider packing or storing these items if you plan to list soon.

Ultimately, when a prospective buyer looks at your home, you want them to be able to easily envision that there will be enough space for all their stuff! If you’ve already put great organization systems into place, it will show them what is possible if they were to purchase your home.

Spring Cleaning

Clean everything! Clean as you go while you’re decluttering and organizing. For the rest of your home, clean it top to bottom and inside out. This includes windows and screens, garage, basement, and attic. On the outside of your home, be sure to clean entryways, decks, porches, patios, and pathways.

Improve Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is equally important in listing photos and when prospective buyers come to view your home. When the weather is nice, be sure to tend to your lawn and landscaping.

Here are some key areas to check:

• Healthy lawn
• Neat flowerbeds
• Pruned and trimmed shrubs
• Well-maintained mailbox
• Working exterior lights
• Welcoming entryway
• Well-maintained driveway

If you take the time to do the items mentioned above, your home will be in great shape when it comes time to go to market – all working towards the goals of a higher sales price and a quicker sale!

Contact us today if you need any guidance about prepping your home for sale!