It is my experience that people are often ready to sell their home when they are sick and tired of taking care of it. The endless maintenance and upkeep is usually what pushes them to contact me and begin the process of getting their home on the market.
Given how often I see this scenario, I though it might be helpful to provide some tips for you to consider BEFORE you get to this point.
- Clean out. Clean out. Clean out. The more space you have, the more stuff you will accumulate. Start the process of getting rid of the things that you no longer use or, in the words of Marie Kondo, which no longer bring you joy. Clean out often. Pick a space weekly (or monthly) and spend a little time cleaning it out. Schedule regular donation pickups so that you know it will leave the house shortly. Join a local 'sharing' group or buy-nothing group. Do what you need to do to get unused stuff out of the house!
- Do the work! Deferred maintenance causes my clients to delay getting their homes on the market. I don't ever want a buyer to think, 'this house is a disaster.' We do the work prior to going on the market, but honestly, it is easier to do as you go. Just pick one project a month, or season, and schedule it.
- Shine it up. This one goes along with deferred maintenance, but the truth is, we stop seeing what we see every day. Take a really good look at the grout, the caulk, bathrooom and kitchen fixtures, light fixtures (inside and out) and other items through out the house. Do they look beat up? Old? How about garage doors? Your front door? Is there weather seeling dragging along each time you open the door? Does your trim look like it is rotting? Do the screens have holes in them? Are there broken seals or locks on your windows? I can help you get all this taken care of, but it it takes time. Do it when you notice--not when you are desperate to list your home.
Can you sell without attending to these things? Of course you can. My objective, however, is always to get you the most amount of money in the least amount of time. A house that is well prepped is in the best position to sell quickly and for a premium. Houses that feel 'less than,' often sell for 'less than' market value.
I am always available if you need resources.
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