Things to know about getting your house ready for market.
1.
Make small fixes. Inspect
your home with a buyer’s eyes, and correct the flaws that are most
egregious (if affordable) or can be relatively easily fixed—from
repairing cracks in the walkways to repainting dingy walls or oiling
creaky hinges.
2.
Decide whether to work with an agent or self-sell. For
a commission, an agent will take care of many details you may not
want to be bothered with (placing ads, fielding calls, making signs,
etc.) and bring experience to the table. To find a good one, ask
friends and relatives, and then interview several candidates. Have
each one walk through your house to see how he or she would price it
and how the two of you get along. Sign an agreement for the shortest
commitment possible, usually three to six months.
3.
Set a price. A
real estate agent will give you a market analysis free of charge or
commitment. Ask a few to get a broader picture of the market, and
then ask to see listings for properties similar to yours that have
sold in the past six months. Check out comparable listings yourself
in the real estate section of your newspaper or on websites. Or get
an analysis from a certified appraiser (appraisalinstitute.org).
Then decide whether you want a quick, easy sale or the highest
possible price.
4.
Clean and declutter. Weed
out excess furniture, knickknacks, and “stuff”—toss it, donate it,
give it away, sell it at a yard sale, or put it into storage—so the
house seems more spacious and buyers can imagine themselves in it.
5.
Decide whether to do a prelisting inspection. It
may save you time, especially with older homes, to identify—and
potentially solve—problems your buyer’s inspection will discover
later.
6.
Stay vigilant about maintenance. From
the moment you start showing your house, keep the lawn mowed, shrubs
trimmed, gardens weeded, rooms spotless and clutter-free.
7.
Ready your home for show days. Hide
pocketable valuables, display fresh flowers or bowls of fruit, bake
a batch of cookies for the homey smell, open the drapes, keep pets
out of sight, and stay quietly in the background (or leave, if an
agent is showing your property).
8.
Consider consulting a lawyer. If
you do hire one, make sure he or she has real estate experience.
