5 things to do before putting your house on the market

1. Consider a pre-sale home inspection. While I don’t always recommend it, understanding your home’s condition before listing is crucial. A home inspector can identify potential red flags that buyers might notice, giving you the opportunity to address key issues before showings begin. However, keep in mind that uncovering problems in a pre-sale inspection could require you to disclose them—even if you weren’t planning to fix them. If you suspect there are underlying issues, it’s best to be proactive, whether that means making repairs or preparing to disclose them upfront. We’ll go over your concerns together and decide the best approach for your situation.
2. Organize and clean. Reduce clutter and pack up your least-used things, such as some specialty kitchen appliances, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store them off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or attic. This is the time to have a garage sale or make a donation to a local charity. Clean your windows, carpets, walls, light fixtures, and baseboards to make your house shine! If necessary, I can bring in a professional home stager to add some pieces or reposition your existing furniture and accessories to capitalize on your home’s showing potential.
3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn out or will need to be replaced soon such as your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. I may include this information in the PR Home Book to help potential buyers determine if they can afford your house. Having all the information will answer questions that might otherwise immobilize a buyer’s ability to make a decision. It will also help us as we discuss strategy during contract negotiations.
4. Find your warranty documents. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for your furnace, dishwasher, refrigerator (if you’re leaving it), roof, and any other items that will remain with the house and help the new owner. Also, if you have any smart home devices (e.g. Nest thermostat, garage door opener), we need to go over a plan to inventory and disable those devices so they can be transferred to the new owner.
5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Do the lawn and landscaping look neatly manicured? Is the house number clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free of cracks and obstructions? Are lower branches of trees obstructing the house? Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside your home and do what it takes to make sure your first impression is perfect!

Historically, we know that spring is a time when there’s increased sales activity. And since there will be more houses on the market, you want to stand out among your competition in a good way and maximize your net return. Do these things before you go on the market so you waste no time attracting the best prospects on day one.