How To Get Your House Ready To Sell
A few new touches to your home can make all the difference to buyers - in just minutes you’ll have the suggestions, the costs, and the confidence.
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Written by Ramona Sinha - Last Updated Monday, Nov 12, 2024. 5-min read
Ramona is the senior content writer for Kukun. This professional uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home renovation, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she's a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.
Why does prep for a house sale matter?
If you're thinking about selling your house, you're likely wondering what it takes to make a strong impression on prospective buyers. You need to prepare your house in a way that potential homebuyers can imagine being in your home. A well-maintained home will not only fetch you a better market price, it'll also help expedite its sale.
Updating a home does not have to be expensive. The key is to focus on the right home upgrades. Interestingly, each project you undertake comes with unique value-adding qualities. That's why you need to invest in the upgrades that offer the most bang for your buck when preparing your home for sale. Kukun Prep for Sale will tell you what is necessary and what is not. We're here to help you figure it out.
Keep in mind that a few well-planned cosmetic changes can go a long way toward making your house stand out to any potential buyer. And, help clinch a deal.
Getting a house ready to sell doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a few straightforward steps, you can create an inviting space that feels move-in-ready and appeals to buyers in the local housing market. Remember each step can increase your chances of attracting the right buyer and closing a successful sale. And, you'll be able to move through the selling process smoothly and maximize your home value.
What are the best tips on how to get house ready to sell?
Getting your home ready to sell doesn't have to be complicated. Follow these simple steps to create an inviting space that appeals to prospective buyers and sets you up for a successful and quick home sale.
Boost your home's curb appeal
First impressions are everything. Make sure the outside of your home looks inviting:
- Add a fresh coat of paint: Paint your front door, shutters, or siding in neutral shades such as soft gray or white.
- Tidy up your yard landscaping: Trim bushes, mow the lawn, and add some flowers to make the entryway feel warm and welcoming.
Make home repairs and upgrades
Simple fixes can make a big difference and show that the home is well-maintained. Look for and fix minor issues such as:
- Leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and broken fixtures.
- Caulk around tubs and sinks.
- Consider inexpensive updates such as replacing old hardware or light switch plates.
Declutter and deep clean every room
A clean and clutter-free space lets buyers see the potential. Remove excess items, then deep clean surfaces, windows, floors, and grout. Tidy up cabinets and closets, as buyers will likely check them during open houses.
Create a neutral, inviting space
To help buyers picture themselves in the home, go with neutral tones and keep decor simple:
- Paint walls in light, neutral colors such as grays or beiges.
- Remove family photos and personal items to create a blank slate for potential buyers.
Plan for interviewing real estate agents in your area
A licensed real estate agent can help with pricing, marketing, and negotiations. Ask about their experience, strategies, and plans to sell your home quickly.
Set the right listing price, at the right time
A competitive home price attracts more buyers and helps you sell quickly:
- Research the local housing market to see what similar homes are going for.
- Consult your real estate agent to set a price based on recent market trends and your home's unique features.
- Time your home sale well. According to real estate experts, spring season through early summer is the best time to list and sell your house.
Stage the home for showings
Once clean and repaired, make each room look its best:
- Arrange furniture to make the space look open.
- Add fresh flowers or new towels for a touch of warmth.
- Ensure rooms are bright by opening blinds and turning on lights.
With these steps, your house will feel welcoming, organized, and ready to sell quickly!
How does Kukun Prep for Sale help you in getting a house ready to sell?
By asking you some easy questions, the tool will recommend a set of projects to prepare your house for sale and the estimated remodeling cost for those projects. And, if you are on a budget, the tool also helps you prioritize the remodeling projects based on what adds the most value before putting it on the market.
This cost estimator will help you organize your home improvement -- effectively managing milestones and costs. It will also help you understand how to sell your house fast at the right price. The goal is to help you create a realistic home remodeling budget for getting the house ready to sell. And, ensure that you don't stumble across any unwelcome surprises during the execution of the home improvement project.
How to use this tool?
You'll be offered the option to upgrade the items on the house that people value most. Simply answer a few simple questions, and in under a minute you'll have your customized quick renovation plan. Some popular home remodeling projects include:
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most commonly remodeled projects, and these are the projects that majorly influence a home's value. If asked, you will need to specify the last time your kitchen and bathrooms were remodeled to a potential homebuyer.
Flooring upgrade
Floors are often the fastest way to upgrade the vibe of a house, particularly in the entry, living room, family room, and master bedroom. Take a good look at your floors. Are they worn in places? Do you have an old carpet that should be replaced with a more contemporary surface such as hardwood or luxury vinyl tile?
Exterior paintwork
Getting quality exterior paintwork done on your house is important for many reasons. First, it beautifies your home, adds manifold to its curb appeal, and gives it character. Secondly, a good paint job serves as one of the primary lines of defense against the elements, dust, insects, and other damage. Remember you will need to specify if your walls have extensive peeling, minimal peeling, or some peeling.
Interior paint
A new coat of paint brightens and refreshes the entire feeling of a home. Pay particular attention to the most popular colors of the times. And, carry the new colors consistently from room to room. When paired with new floors, the combination can make the oldest house feel new again.
And that's it! These remodeling projects can help you sell your house faster. We provide the estimated cost for those projects and even a contractor or a home loan if you need them.
Why should you estimate these home improvement costs before selling your house?
Selling a house is a double-edged sword - you want to attract the most motivated buyers and reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The ultimate goal is to sell the house at the highest price possible at the lowest cost and fastest time possible.
To ensure that your home looks its best when you put it on the market, you need to make some upgrades without burning a huge hole in your pocket. Choose home improvements that will get you the most return on investment (ROI). Once you make the commitment to go ahead with the home upgrades, you need to know how much of an investment you require for the project.
What are the best home improvements to increase value?
There are many types of remodeling projects and upgrades that you can make when preparing your home for sale to increase its worth - in terms of both appeal and market value.
Kitchen remodel
The kitchen is a key selling point for buyers. A well-designed kitchen remodel can add significant value, according to the National Association of Realtors. Improvements such as new kitchen countertops, cabinets, backsplash, updated appliances, and modern fixtures make a big impact. Ensure the kitchen is clean and functional. And, has ample lighting to create a bright, welcoming space.
Bathroom renovation
Bathroom upgrades are also highly appealing. An average bathroom renovation can recoup around 67% of its cost, and even simple updates like re-caulking, upgrading tiles, or adding storage can make a difference. Updating faucets and bathroom fixtures (for example adding a stainless-steel towel rack) can modernize the look without a massive investment.
Bedroom remodel
Upgrading bedrooms, especially the master bedroom, can enhance the overall appeal. While a full remodel might not have the highest ROI, keeping costs in check with small updates such as new paint, light fixtures, or a fresh look for closets can still make your bedrooms feel inviting and up-to-date.
House painting (interior and exterior)
Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your home's value. Neutral colors are best for wide appeal. Interior painting costs around $970 and can add nearly $2,000 in value, while exterior painting, including doors and trim, provides great curb appeal, often recouping its cost.
Flooring installation
Refreshing floors can make a lasting impression. If you have carpet, a deep clean can revive it, but if floors are outdated, consider installing new hardwood or luxury vinyl, which are highly attractive to buyers. Hardwood floors, in particular, are known to boost value and appeal.
The last few steps…
Give your home a good once-over with a thorough home inspection. It will help you know what to fix up when you're looking to sell. If you come across any issues, repair or replace immediately.
Once you've done your bit and know how to get your house ready to sell, it's time to hire a staging expert who will creatively give your home an inexpensive facelift. The idea behind home staging is to give home buyers a glimpse of the true potential of the property.
Make it easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves living in your property - and think of it as their future home! This will give you a better chance at landing a quick and profitable house sale. Good luck with your home sale journey!
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