Getting Your Home Ready to Hit the Market
The team at Xtreme Home Products, located in the heart of Downtown Mooresville, want to help you get your home ready to hit the market. Naturally, you’ll need a good sale price on your current home to improve the next one’s down payment. But if your home is dated and appears neglected or dirty, you’re bound to put off prospective buyers. Fortunately, there are ways to boost the bidding price for your home and maximize the odds of seeing more cash in your account. Let’s explore seven things to do before selling your house to improve its sale value and prep it for moving. 1. Find the right real estate agent Before doing anything else, remember that you don’t have to – and shouldn’t – sell your house by yourself. The right real estate agent can make the whole process easier by:
Listing your property on the MLS and other real estate agent-exclusive listing sites
Showing your house or hosting “open house” events
Giving you specific advice on how to boost your home’s value
So before undertaking any major renovation projects, get a real estate agent to look at your home and give you an estimate of its fair market value. Then, prepare to look at your home through the eyes of a prospective buyer and make any updates and repairs that will help bring the highest offers. 2. Fix it up to bump up the price Keep that hammer handy and partner it with a full tool chest. You'll need it for all the home repairs on your to-do list! Take a thorough look at your property and note anything that could be fixed up with some elbow grease and old-fashioned handyman skills. Some common things to fix before selling your house include:
Broken light fixtures or dim light bulbs – replace the old bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives to show your home in the best light
House numbers near the door – make sure they’re attractive and easy to see
Entry doors and windows – repair cracks with caulking or weatherstripping
Leaky faucets, which should be tightened or replaced ASAP
Electrical issues, including broken outlets or light switches
Dated AC or heating systems – most buyers don’t want to purchase a house with a bad HVAC unit, so consider footing the bill for this to get a better price when you sell your home
Roofing issues, including gutters – a new roof can be a valuable amenity and an excellent selling point
Remember, once you get an offer, the buyer will have it professionally inspected. Anything you can repair now will save you a headache later.
3. Replace old, drafty windows Depending on your house’s age and other factors, one or more windows might be drafty, cracked, and a warning sign for a prospective buyer. It’s a good idea to replace any old and/or drafty windows with new energy-efficient windows. If your old windows are unsightly, you can replace them with much more aesthetically pleasing alternatives. Not only do new windows boost curb appeal, they also can make your home’s interior look better by allowing in more natural light. Picture windows, bay windows, and other new replacement windows can do a lot to shift home price haggling in your favor come negotiation time.
4. Pressure wash your sidewalks and driveway Here’s an incredibly satisfying fix that will also help you get a bit more cash from your house sale. Buy or rent a pressure washer and spray down the sidewalks, front porch, siding, and driveway of your home. It’s an easy touch that makes your house look bright and new and elevates the first impression of your property. When prospective buyers walk up a pristine driveway to your freshly washed front door, they’ll be much more likely to make an offer than if they took the same route from a grimy driveway to a dusty, dirty door! 5. Deep clean – appeal to the eye and the nose! Before selling your house, extend the above cleaning tip to the inside of your property. Deep clean everything you can. No one wants to enter a home and see dirt or grease or smell mildew or pet odors. You may have become immune to dingy surfaces or unpleasant scents, but homebuyers have eagle eyes and sensitive noses. Clean everything, paying special attention to:
The kitchen, including counters, cabinet doors, and appliances – remove all clutter from surfaces
The bathrooms, making sure showers and tubs are mildew-free and the counters, mirrors, and toilets are spotless
The floors and carpets – give them a good vacuum or steam clean the carpets to remove dirt and stains
All windows, inside and out
All interior and exterior doors
The living and dining rooms – dust all surfaces, clear clutter, and make sure the dining table is clear of all dishware and debris
The garage – clean and empty everything you can to make it look larger
Prep your house for a great sale The above tips aren’t just wise to bolster your home’s bidding price. They’re also smart ideas for preparing to move in general. A clean, clutter-free home is good practice and very helpful when it’s time to pack up and go. Remember your friends here at Xtreme Home Products, located in Mooresville, NC, can help with any vinyl replacement siding, replacement windows, exterior doors, or even Valor Gutter Guard. We serve Statesville, Troutman, Asheville, Hendersonville, Winston Salem, Taylorsville, Hickory, Denver, Sherrills Ford, Mooresville, Newton, Concord, Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Lincolnton, Charlotte, and surrounding areas.