Whether you’re selling your home for the first time or the fifth time, the steps you need to take to prepare for the sale are the same. If you’re a first-time seller, you may be confused about where to start with all the conflicting available information. That’s why we’ve broken down the top 5 critical steps to take before selling your home to ensure you get top-dollar and have the best experience selling your property.
- Know the best time to sell
The first step to getting the most money for your home is to sell at an optimal time of the year. Depending on your location, the best time to sell your home is typically in the spring and summer months. Early spring is when selling activity starts to pick up, and the summer months are when the housing market seriously heats up.
A 2021 report analyzed real estate sales over ten years and found that the highest sales prices are in July, followed by June and August.
- Find a reputable real estate agent
The next critical step you need to take before selling your home is to find a local realtor with extensive knowledge and connections in your area. Choosing to list your home yourself as a “for sale by owner” almost always wastes your time and money.
This is where word-of-mouth becomes your best friend. It’s a good idea to ask your friends and family members if they’ve had a good experience working with any local realtors, as this is the best way to get an unbiased recommendation for a local realtor.
- Repaint walls with neutral colors
Painting your walls with neutral colors ensures that your home appeals to as many potential buyers as possible. You shouldn’t take it personally if someone else doesn’t share your daughter’s love for hot pink. Painting your walls with neutral colors is the best way to increase the desirability of your home to get top-dollar when it comes time to sell.
- Price competitively
In this market, you may think you can get away with charging well over market value for your home. However, setting an unrealistic price is a surefire way to have your house sit on the market longer than it should and risk not being able to sell.
This is where using a knowledgable real estate agent comes in handy. The agent will use tools like comparable properties and appraisals to come up with a suggestion on where to price your home. Pricing your home at the right amount to start is also more likely to create a bidding war between potential buyers.
- Stage strategically
Staging your home strategically for potential buyers is our final step before selling your home quickly and for the best price. Investing in a professional staging company to stage the property and take photos of your home can attract potential buyers before your home is listed.
By staging your home the right way, you give potential buyers a visualization of how the house will look should they decide to purchase. To stage your home effectively, ensure that you’re cleaning your home and taking away any elements of personalization that may not appeal to potential buyers.
The Bottom Line
Selling your home in this market is an exciting prospect for you and your family. It all starts with knowing the best time to sell. Once you’ve determined the time of year to sell, the next step is to find a knowledgeable local agent who will guide you through the process.
The agent will likely suggest repainting your home with neutral colors and can offer advice on how to price your home effectively. Finally, staging your home before listing is the best way to allow buyers to visualize what their future home looks like should they be lucky enough to buy your house.
Follow our top five critical steps to take before selling your home to ensure you get the most for your home and have the best selling experience!
