5 Things to do when selling your home in the current market

Pandemic or not, for some, the home showings must go on. There are still people who have to buy or sell a home due to job changes or life events. And the real estate industry has found ways to conduct business (mostly thanks to technology). 

One thing that hasn’t changed: If you’re a seller, you still need to put in some elbow grease to get top dollar for your listing and sailing through a headache-free sale. Giving your home the most polished look will pay off big when buyers feel confident the home is well maintained.

No need for an entire home renovation to get your house from listed to sold. This five-item to-do list will ensure you’re ready to close the deal.

Give yourself time

Preparing your home to go on the market isn’t a one-weekend project, so give yourself time to make updates without getting overwhelmed. Start the process at least one month in advance of your target list date, if not a full eight weeks ahead of when you want to sell your home.

Also start having conversations with your real estate agent early on. He or she can help you pinpoint the best areas to spend your time and money based on your specific market.

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Get on top of general maintenance

Basic maintenance can go a long way in assuring buyers they’re making a good choice in your home. Cleaning your gutters, air conditioning vents, make sure there are no taps leaking, and replace any broken or faded lighting covers.

Make simple updates inside

Implementing just a few minor changes inside your home can make a big impact with buyers without breaking the bank. A fresh coat of paint, for example, goes a long way in neutralizing the space and covering up any excessive nail holes in the walls.

For homes with carpet, get it cleaned to remove any stains or odours. Also consider replacing low wattage light bulbs with brighter bulbs to help add more light in each room. 

Stage your home with several simple items

You don’t have to hire an interior designer to stage your home for photographs or video tours. DIY staging is completely doable for homeowners.

Consider investing in these three new items to help stage and sell your home: a set of crisp white towels, a few vases, and a white duvet cover for the master bedroom. Don’t use the new towels; instead, swap them out for your old ones anytime a showing is scheduled. Get some pollen free flowers for the vases and place them in the kitchen and bathrooms. And as for the white duvet, it always looks good with all wall colour.

Create a game plan for showings

Once your house is on the market, make it easy to show regularly by implementing a preparation plan. Make a list which includes everything you want to remove when a showing is scheduled — even if it’s a virtual tour — such as old towels or clutter on the kitchen and bathroom counters.

Then, either the night before or couple of hours before the open house, collect everything on your list in a none see through box and stash it under a bed or the garage for the duration of the open house.

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This article via MyMove does not constitute advice; readers should seek independent and personalised counsel from a trusted adviser that specialises in property, a tax accountant and property design specialist.