Selling your home is not an easy decision to make, but once you’ve made up your mind then you’ve actually overcome the hardest part of the process.
The road ahead can be an emotional rollercoaster, so it’s best to be prepared. For starters, check out our seller’s guide for more advice on the home selling process.
It will pay to start working with an agent at the earliest stage. Your agent can go through the property with you, and help you come up with an honest and realistic assessment of its worth as well as what needs to be done to make it market ready.
With your agent’s professional guidance, you can identify your home’s strengths and weaknesses, and determine whatever improvements might be needed to ensure you optimize your home’s value.
Here’s a checklist of what to watch for in assessing your property:
The interiors
1. The flooring
- Is it clean and stain-free?
- Is it too worn and does it need refinishing or replacement?
2. Walls and ceilings
- Are they clean and stain-free?
- Are they free from nail holes, cracks, and chips?
- Are there dark spots that could be signs of water damage?
- Do they need repainting or new wallpaper?
- Do they have neutral or light colors?
3. Doors, windows and window treatments
- Are they clean and stain-free?
- Are they too worn and need repainting or replacement?
- Do they function well and are easy to handle?
- Are the locks, latches, and handles secure and functioning well?
- Are glass components clean, clear, and free of stains, cracks and chips?
4. The rooms
- Are the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and other living areas spotless?
- Are all kitchen appliances working? Are they well organized?
- Do the rooms appear spacious, airy, and uncluttered?
- Is there sufficient indoor lighting?
- Are all kitchen and bathroom fixtures working and in good condition? Do they look new and clean?
- Are the remaining furniture pieces in good condition? Does anything look worn out?
The exteriors
1. Structures
- Is the roof in good condition? Does it appear aged or worn out?
- Are the walls and all other surfaces clean?
- Do the doors and windows look spotless from the outside?
- Are driveways, walkways, decks, and patios clean and in good condition?
- Are the gutters and downspouts free from leaves and debris? Are they in good condition?
- Are the fences in good condition? Do they need repair of replacement?
- Are the gates working properly? They should be easy to operate and should not look worn or aged.
2. The yard
- Are the back, side, and front yards well-kept? Are the lawn and hedges trimmed?
- Is there sufficient outdoor lighting?
- Does the yard need touches of colors from flowers and shrubs?
- Are the trees well-pruned? Do any of them present any safety hazards?
- Does the yard look neat and organized? Does it need landscaping?
- Is the yard free from pet droppings? Are children’s toys and bicycles neatly stored away?
These are only some of the things you’ll need to take a close look at once you’ve decided to sell your home. For more information on how to make sure your home sells for the best possible price, get in touch with us at 440.823.2448.