A year sounds pretty far into the future. But think back to last year at this time. Doesn't it feel like just yesterday? Our lives are moving so fast, and the best things come to those who prep
are.
Let's say you want to sell your house in about a year. The kids will be gone (or the baby will be here). You've had enough of the winters (or summers). Whatever the reason, there are things to start now to have a smooth sale, and get the best price, for your home:
- Take stock of your home and its condition. It's easy to get comfortable with the little things that don't work: the door that sticks, the window that fogs up. If you just don't see the forest for the trees, have a friend to help you look at your home through "new eyes." Then make a list of basic repairs and fix them.
- Do you have an agent? Start interviewing. Ask friends for recommendations. You want the best you can get. A good agent will give you a little time now to help you plan ahead. Most agents are around buyers all the time; they often have ideas of things you need to do, as well. Your agent can also be a great resource for finding the tradespeople you might need to hire.
- You will probably need to paint before you actually put your home on the market. Maybe your colors are too "personal." Or you need to replace old carpet, or whatever. Hire a stager or designer (ask your agent for names) for a one-hour color consult to help you choose colors and strategy. It could be the best money you spend to make your home appealing to the widest range of buyers. (I call my designer the "911 Designer" because she has saved the day many times!)
- Ask you agent to set up an auto-search of homes similar to yours in your area. You want to watch the starting prices, selling prices, days-on-market, etc. If you start now, you will be on top of market trends when it comes time to price your home. It's a simple thing for your agent to set up an automated search that gets delivered right to your email inbox.
Personally, I love working with sellers ahead of time. The upfront effort is worth it to help my seller get a great price for their home, and ultimately it makes the selling process easier on everyone.
Barbara Charlton, REALTOR, GRI
RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Member of The Minnesota Real Estate Team
www.BarbaraCharlton.com
Cell: 612-414-6721
Minneapolis, St. Paul, and South of theRiver
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