Adequate planning and preparation are critical to achieving a fast home sale. From choosing the best real estate agent to pricing the property competitively, every detail matters. To set yourself up for success, you must learn how to prep your house for sale. From deep cleaning to decluttering, paying attention to the details will significantly impact how quickly your home sells.
How to Prep Your House For Sale: 7 Easy Tips
Many details can impact how quickly a house sells. To avoid asking yourself, “Why isn’t my house selling?” follow these steps, and your home will be off the market in no time!
1. Improve the Curb Appeal
The first thing potential buyers will likely see, in person and online, is the front of your house. In the housing market, first impressions go a long way; they attract more potential buyers and can even increase your home’s value.
Landscaping plays a major role in improving your curb appeal. Before you list your home, make sure to mow the yard, edge the lawn, and remove weeds or dead plants. Then, you can even add a splash of color with planters, flower boxes, or a small garden. After you’ve had photos taken, it’s important to maintain your home’s curb appeal. Consider upkeeping the landscape yourself or hiring a professional.
Bonus points:
- Clean up the fence. A quick pressure wash and a new stain work wonders on an older wooden or PVC fence.
- Paint or restain the front porch for a fresh new look
- Spread mulch or pine straw in bare areas for a sharp look.
2. Repair Cosmetic Issues
Next, you must ensure that your home's interior looks its best. Potential buyers will look at all the details, so if you’ve got unfinished projects, it’s best to complete them and make simple repairs where necessary.
3. Drywall and Paint
Begin by closely inspecting the drywall; if there are any small holes, fill them with spackle and sand, and touch them up with matching paint. If there are larger holes, you’ll need to repair them with a drywall repair kit that can be easily obtained at your local hardware store.
4. Lighting
Carefully inspect all the home's light bulbs to ensure they are functional. If you find any dead or mismatched bulbs, replace them.
5. Faucets
As you prepare to sell your home, pay a little extra attention to your faucets. If you notice anything leaking, take a closer look. Often, a simple repair can solve the problem.
6. Deep Clean and Maintain Cleanliness
Although homes are regularly cleaned, you’d be surprised how much dust can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas. Perform a deep cleaning of the house or hire a professional cleaning service to clean the bathrooms, baseboards, windows, blinds, appliances, and more. Moving large furniture and appliances to clean underneath and behind them is also a good idea.
Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, you’ll notice that a deep clean will make it much easier to maintain cleanliness in your home as you prepare for open houses and showings.
Once your home is on the market, follow these simple steps to keep it clean:
- Vacuum and mops several times a week, more if you have pets or small children.
- Clean the kitchen and clean up small messes daily.
- Take out the trash daily to prevent unpleasant odors.
- Clean the bathrooms weekly.
7. Remove Clutter
Nothing will shrink the appearance of your home like unnecessary clutter. So, before your home hits the market, go through your belongings and determine what could be cluttering your space. Go through the closets, garage, pantry, cabinets, common areas, and kids' toys. If you’re uncertain what to remove, our real estate agents can be a great resource. Additionally, if you have any unused items stored in a shed or the backyard, remove them.
Remember that decluttering your space does not mean you have to get rid of everything. If there are any items you still use or will need in the future, consider renting a storage unit to store these items temporarily.
When You Need Help Selling a Home, Look No Further Than the Experienced Team at BlueWest Properties
Increase the possibility of selling your home quickly with BlueWest Properties. Our experienced team of agents can help you sell your home while keeping your best interests in mind. Whether you’re ready to list your home or need more information on how to prep your house for sale, our team is here to help!
Ready to sell your home fast? Contact our agents, and we’ll help you begin the home-selling process!
