THE SELLING PROCESS

Getting ready to sell your home? If you want it to sell for as much as possible, there are many steps you can take before putting it on the market to increase its value. Although it may take a little work, research and time to get the best offers, these easy-to-follow steps can help you get more out of your upcoming sale.

1. Understand Your Home’s Value

Your first step should be to determine what your home is actually worth. You’ve likely made a lot of great memories in your home. With so many memories attached to your home, it can be easy to believe that your home is worth more than it actually is. A common mistake that homeowners make when they sell their home is overvaluing it and pricing it too high.

As your real estate professional, I can help you determine how to price your home. I’ll consider recent home sales and current market conditions to figure out a good price point to attract buyers and bring in offers.

2. Depersonalize And Declutter Your Space

Sure, you may love that pink bedroom, but will your buyer? Removing distinctive personal touches like bright paint and mementos allows buyers to envision themselves in your home. This often leads to a higher selling price and less time spent on the market. Here are some additional tips:

Make your design aesthetic as neutral as possible.
Remove unusual paint and wallpaper colors, and pack up family photos.
Ask a friend to point out any taste-specific decorations so you can remove them.
Redecorate with as much generic appeal as possible; think neutral wall colors and modern furniture.

This process should also include a thorough decluttering. Remove unnecessary appliances, furniture and toys from view when buyers are touring your property. Before a house showing, clear the kitchen counters and tidy up common areas and bedrooms. Open your curtains or shades to allow light in. Keep your pets or kids’ toys hidden or in a playroom until potential buyers leave.

3. Make Minor Repairs And Updates

A home that’s in great condition will help you get a higher offer. Although repairs might not be required, they’ll give you better negotiating power and help you avoid the headache of having to quickly fix something to close the sale. Here are some repairs and updates you should consider when you’re getting ready to sell:

Paint: Touching up paint is one of the cheapest and easiest home repairs you can make. Take a look around your home for paint that needs to be updated or retouched
Kitchen appliances: Buyers will expect your major appliances to work. If your oven, stove or dishwasher doesn’t work or isn’t in good shape, you should repair it before you show your home.
Bathroom fixtures: Bathrooms and kitchens are some of the most important rooms in the home. Clean, updated bathrooms are an absolute must. If any of the plumbing is leaky, schedule necessary repairs immediately.
Lighting: Lighting can be a powerful asset when you sell your home – because it can change how a room looks. If your light fixtures aren’t updated or energy-efficient, they can make your home look older and smaller. Soft white LED light bulbs are more affordable than ever before, and can make your home feel cozier than fluorescent lights.
Roofing: Roofing problems can be expensive to repair. A roof with leaks or missing shingles is likely to scare away many buyers. If you have the money to repair the roof, it’s best to do so before you list your home. If you don’t have the money, you can still list your home, but make sure you disclose your roof’s condition to the buyer well before closing.

4. Touch Up Your Home’s Exterior

Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see, so take some time to make sure you’re up to date on exterior maintenance. Here are some exterior items you can tackle before selling your home:

Clean your gutters out and wash your home’s siding.
Mow your lawn, remove weeds and prune bushes.
If your home has a fence, inspect it for missing panels and peeling paint.
If you have a pool, fish out leaves, toys and branches before buyers visit.
Clean and clear your sidewalk and any other paths on your property.
If your front door has peeling paint, a fresh coat will instantly update and modernize it.

Finally, consider adding curb appeal by putting planters on either side of your front door or adding a new, clean welcome mat to help potential buyers feel at home.

5. Get Rid Of Odors

You might not notice the pet smells in your home because you’ve gotten used to them. And even though these issues are easily fixable, they can be a turn-off for buyers. It’s best to hide any litter boxes and use an air freshener before open houses and showings. Wash or replace pet beds and toys to fight bad odors, and set up a cleaning schedule to keep pet hair at bay. Have your carpets professionally cleaned.

If you have an open house or showing coming up, ask a friend or family member to watch your pet while buyers are in your home. If that’s not possible, make sure your pet is in its crate, your backyard or otherwise out of the way when you show your home.

Even if you don’t have pets, there are odors to watch out for, including:

A musty smell, which could make buyers leery of mold or mildew.
Odors from your sink or garbage disposal that may indicate a problem with under-the-sink plumbing.
The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur in your kitchen, which may indicate you may lack the required traps or vents; this problem can be fixed with the help of a plumber.

6. Get paperwork in order

When it comes time to sell, you’ll need copies of permits for past renovation work,home warranty documentation, land surveys, tax bills and utility bills. Assemble these in advance so you don’t have to go digging around right as you’re preparing to list.

One of the most important pieces of information you’ll need is your survey. Purchasing a new survey can run you or the seller $500-$1,500 and will add additional time to the closing date.

7. Hire a professional photographer

Given that many potential buyers search for homes online, it’s crucial to include high-quality, professional photos in your online listing. Without excellent high-resolution images, potential buyers may (sadly) overlook your home. So, before putting it on the market, go ahead and hire a professional photographer to snap photos of your clean and staged abode.

THE SELLING PROCESS

1. Understand Your Home’s Value

2. Depersonalize And Declutter Your Space

Sure, you may love that pink bedroom, but will your buyer? Removing distinctive personal touches like bright paint and mementos allows buyers to envision themselves in your home. This often leads to a higher selling price and less time spent on the market. Here are some additional tips:

Make your design aesthetic as neutral as possible.

Remove unusual paint and wallpaper colors, and pack up family photos.

Ask a friend to point out any taste-specific decorations so you can remove them.

Redecorate with as much generic appeal as possible; think neutral wall colors and modern furniture.

3. Make Minor Repairs And Updates

Paint: Touching up paint is one of the cheapest and easiest home repairs you can make. Take a look around your home for paint that needs to be updated or retouched

Kitchen appliances: Buyers will expect your major appliances to work. If your oven, stove or dishwasher doesn’t work or isn’t in good shape, you should repair it before you show your home.

Bathroom fixtures: Bathrooms and kitchens are some of the most important rooms in the home. Clean, updated bathrooms are an absolute must. If any of the plumbing is leaky, schedule necessary repairs immediately.

4. Touch Up Your Home’s Exterior

Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see, so take some time to make sure you’re up to date on exterior maintenance. Here are some exterior items you can tackle before selling your home:

Clean your gutters out and wash your home’s siding.

Mow your lawn, remove weeds and prune bushes.

If your home has a fence, inspect it for missing panels and peeling paint.

If you have a pool, fish out leaves, toys and branches before buyers visit.

Clean and clear your sidewalk and any other paths on your property.

If your front door has peeling paint, a fresh coat will instantly update and modernize it.

Finally, consider adding curb appeal by putting planters on either side of your front door or adding a new, clean welcome mat to help potential buyers feel at home.

5. Get Rid Of Odors

If you have an open house or showing coming up, ask a friend or family member to watch your pet while buyers are in your home. If that’s not possible, make sure your pet is in its crate, your backyard or otherwise out of the way when you show your home.

Even if you don’t have pets, there are odors to watch out for, including:

A musty smell, which could make buyers leery of mold or mildew.

Odors from your sink or garbage disposal that may indicate a problem with under-the-sink plumbing.

The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur in your kitchen, which may indicate you may lack the required traps or vents; this problem can be fixed with the help of a plumber.

6. Get paperwork in order

When it comes time to sell, you’ll need copies of permits for past renovation work,home warranty documentation, land surveys, tax bills and utility bills. Assemble these in advance so you don’t have to go digging around right as you’re preparing to list.

One of the most important pieces of information you’ll need is your survey. Purchasing a new survey can run you or the seller $500-$1,500 and will add additional time to the closing date.

7. Hire a professional photographer

Contact Us
512.773.2848 | 866.277.6005

10222 Pecan Park Blvd Ste 10, Austin, TX 78729

THE SELLING PROCESS

1. Understand Your Home’s Value

​

2. Depersonalize And Declutter Your Space

​

Sure, you may love that pink bedroom, but will your buyer? Removing distinctive personal touches like bright paint and mementos allows buyers to envision themselves in your home. This often leads to a higher selling price and less time spent on the market. Here are some additional tips:

Make your design aesthetic as neutral as possible.

Remove unusual paint and wallpaper colors, and pack up family photos.

Ask a friend to point out any taste-specific decorations so you can remove them.

Redecorate with as much generic appeal as possible; think neutral wall colors and modern furniture.

​

3. Make Minor Repairs And Updates

​

Paint: Touching up paint is one of the cheapest and easiest home repairs you can make. Take a look around your home for paint that needs to be updated or retouched

Kitchen appliances: Buyers will expect your major appliances to work. If your oven, stove or dishwasher doesn’t work or isn’t in good shape, you should repair it before you show your home.

Bathroom fixtures: Bathrooms and kitchens are some of the most important rooms in the home. Clean, updated bathrooms are an absolute must. If any of the plumbing is leaky, schedule necessary repairs immediately.

​

4. Touch Up Your Home’s Exterior

​

Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see, so take some time to make sure you’re up to date on exterior maintenance. Here are some exterior items you can tackle before selling your home:

Clean your gutters out and wash your home’s siding.

Mow your lawn, remove weeds and prune bushes.

If your home has a fence, inspect it for missing panels and peeling paint.

If you have a pool, fish out leaves, toys and branches before buyers visit.

Clean and clear your sidewalk and any other paths on your property.

If your front door has peeling paint, a fresh coat will instantly update and modernize it.

Finally, consider adding curb appeal by putting planters on either side of your front door or adding a new, clean welcome mat to help potential buyers feel at home.

5. Get Rid Of Odors

​

If you have an open house or showing coming up, ask a friend or family member to watch your pet while buyers are in your home. If that’s not possible, make sure your pet is in its crate, your backyard or otherwise out of the way when you show your home.

​

Even if you don’t have pets, there are odors to watch out for, including:

A musty smell, which could make buyers leery of mold or mildew.

Odors from your sink or garbage disposal that may indicate a problem with under-the-sink plumbing.

The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur in your kitchen, which may indicate you may lack the required traps or vents; this problem can be fixed with the help of a plumber.

​

6. Get paperwork in order

​

When it comes time to sell, you’ll need copies of permits for past renovation work,home warranty documentation, land surveys, tax bills and utility bills. Assemble these in advance so you don’t have to go digging around right as you’re preparing to list.

One of the most important pieces of information you’ll need is your survey. Purchasing a new survey can run you or the seller $500-$1,500 and will add additional time to the closing date.

​

7. Hire a professional photographer

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