At first glance, the number of tasks involved in getting a house ready to sell might make you want to pull the blanket over your head and not emerge until it’s all over. However, there is good news!
A detailed checklist can get the home-selling process running along smoothly. If you start early enough, you can take it slow and start with the little things first. It also helps to have a roadmap on how to prepare your house for sale.
In this post, we’ll outline 20 steps to selling a house. Follow along, and you’ll keep your sanity in check while you enjoy what could be a straightforward process.
Is a home sale imminent and you want all of the help you can get? Check out one of our customized guides on how to sell your house.
1. Prepare Yourself for a Move
The mental preparation for a big move is one of the most important steps. Procrastination can kick in for one reason or another. It could be inertia due to the scope of the project. Or it could be that you’re feeling a little emotional about the idea of moving, which is completely normal.
If you’re finding it hard to get motivated, there are a few ways you can get the ball rolling again. Instead of thinking of preparing your home as one massive undertaking, break it down into a set of small tasks that you can easily manage in just a few minutes.
Even better, ask for help. Moving isn’t just easier and faster when you have a support network; it’s also a lot more fun.
2. Clarify Your Outcome
One of the best motivators to keep you on track is to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve from your sale. Beyond earning top dollar, what else are you hoping for? If you’re moving to a bigger home in a more exclusive neighbourhood, imagine how incredible it will feel after you’ve finally arrived.
If you plan to downsize, think of how much more time you will have now that you don’t have to maintain a large family home. Your budget for the things you enjoy may also increase.
Dreaming about your next chapter isn’t just about inspiring you to take action. It also helps to clarify what outcome you need when selling your house. Some homeowners find it essential to maximize the selling price, which usually means more preparation is necessary.
Other people just want a fast and simple transaction with few headaches. Getting your house ready will be easier, but you might compromise a little on the price or terms of the sale.
3. Make a List of Questions
Selling your house means you’re moving somewhere else, and that always opens up a long list of questions. The more certain you are about what happens next, the less stress you’ll face along the way.
Questions might include whether or not to buy or sell first, if you should rent for a while before buying, and when it’s the best time to sell a house. You may also have questions about your mortgage, especially if you’re selling before your existing term is up.
Whenever a thought hits you, be sure to write it down or make a note of it in your smartphone right away. Next time you’re talking to your Realtor®, you’ll know exactly what to ask.
Looking for even more expert advice to sell your home in today’s market? Start with the related reading below:
- What Are the Best Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value?
- Refining Your Offer Strategy When Selling First House
- Home Inspections: Friend or Foe When Selling Your Home?
4. Take a Peek at the Market
Much of your home-selling strategy will depend on what’s happening in the local real estate market when you decide to list. Some sellers will actually wait for certain conditions to arise, but most do not have that luxury. When you know exactly what to do to get your house sold fast and for the highest amount, you can confidently move forward at any time.
Your real estate agent can help you customize a strategy that aligns with your plans.
5. Start Researching Real Estate Agents
Speaking of real estate agents, it may be time to start researching who you want to represent you during your transaction. This critical partnership can make the difference between a sale that leaves you wondering what could have been, and one that leaves you ecstatic.
How do you choose the right agent? Get a head start by reviewing some of the top websites for services in your area. Check out their reviews and make sure they are current with today’s market. It also doesn’t hurt to take a look at some Google reviews to see if they are mostly positive.
Once you narrow it down, start planning some interviews. Here are some Tough Questions to Ask Your Realtor® When Selling Your House.
6. Plan to Clean
Unless you’re naturally clean and organized (and most of us are not), the thought of tidying up your home might be what you dread most about selling. What’s the solution? Now, more than ever, you need a plan.
The first step is to identify what type of cleaner you are. Do you roll up your sleeves and dive in and don’t come up for air until everything is spotless? Or is doing one small task per day more your style?
Or, and hear us out, do you call up a professional cleaning service, go enjoy a fun afternoon, and come home to a pristine space? This option may have a cost involved, but it gets the job done, stress-free and quickly.
7. Throw One Thing Away
Decluttering goes hand in hand with cleaning, and it can be the most emotional part of your entire transaction. It means going through all of your belongings and making the difficult decision about what to keep and what to discard.
Entire books have been written on the subject, from Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” to “Decluttering at the Speed of Life” by Dana K. White. At the end of the day, it all boils down to a few questions:
- Do you need it?
- Do you love it?
- Did you forget all about it as it was buried in a box in the attic, but now that you’ve discovered it, you feel like you can’t part with it?
If you answered “yes” to the first two questions, then the item goes into the “keep” box. If you answered “yes” to the last question, it might be time to let it go.
There’s a distinct advantage to decluttering your house early, hopefully long before it officially goes on the market. If you’ve left yourself time, you have room to breathe and process what you really need and what you can do away with.
8. Donate an Item (or Two)
Parting with cherished belongings isn’t easy, even if it’s an item you haven’t needed for quite some time. That said, it can feel a lot better to donate them. You can take comfort in knowing someone else will be able to appreciate the things you can no longer use.
Why not look in your closet for an outfit you haven’t worn in months? Start with one or two items, one room at a time, and everything will start to flow.
9. Create a Facebook Marketplace Account
As great as it can be to donate your unused items, it might be even better if you can get paid for them. Websites such as Facebook Marketplace or Kijjiji allow you to advertise many household goods to local residents.
10. Book a Free Home Evaluation
Your listing date is fast approaching, and at some point, you’ll want to know what your home is actually worth in the current market. There’s a lot to think about.
You can’t just factor in how much you paid for your home, how long you’ve owned it or how well you have cared for it through the years. To a large extent, the market will decide based on comparable properties in your area.
Do you want an accurate picture of what your house is worth today? Start by booking a complimentary home evaluation with our real estate experts.
11. Arrange for a Pre-Listing Inspection
A home evaluation will give you an idea of how much your home might earn if you listed it as-is. However, there are often simple ways to enhance its value and maximize your transaction.
A pre-listing inspection can help you spot any areas of improvement. Even more importantly, it will help you identify anything a potential buyer might view as a red flag. If you fix issues in advance, buyers and their agents will feel more confident about placing offers.
12. Make Some Minor Repairs
Most homes will benefit from at least a few small updates before going on the market. This can mean simple projects like painting, repairing caulking around sinks and showers, replacing light fixtures, and installing new hardware.
With every project, be sure to assess whether the investment of time and money is likely to pay off. If it helps buyers fall in love with the idea of living in your home, it is probably worthwhile.
13. Avoid Unnecessary Repairs
Once you start preparing your home for sale, it will often seem like your to-do list gets bigger instead of smaller. However, there is some relief in sight.
In deciding what updates to invest in, you should also be asking what not to fix when selling a house. Even buyers who want a move-in ready home will want to make some decisions for themselves. If you plan to install new carpets that they’ll promptly rip out in favour of hardwood, you might as well save your time and money.
Many repairs fall into this category. Consulting with your real estate agent about where to focus your efforts will result in a more successful sale. Whenever you have a chance to skip a project without hurting results, your move becomes that much less stressful.
14. Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space
Home sellers intuitively understand the importance of presentation of their interior space. However, the outside often gets overlooked, which is a mistake as it’s the first thing a potential buyer will see. To create the best possible impression, be sure the yard is well-maintained and welcoming.
Looking for more tips on how to wow potential buyers with your curb appeal? You’ll get plenty in Why Landscaping Matters When Selling Your Home.
15. Get in Touch With Contractors
You might already have some great ideas on how to get your house ready to sell, but all upgrades will take time to complete. If you plan on hiring a professional, it’s often best to reach out early. Reputable contractors can often book up quickly, and you’ll want to make sure your projects are near the top of their list.
Help is available, whatever you need. If you’re looking for contractors you can trust, take a look at some of our preferred vendors today.
16. Decide on a Price Strategy
A smart, well-researched price is one of the top tips for selling a house, bar none. It’s critical to capture the attention and interest of as many qualified buyers as possible, and a price aligned with the market helps you maximize the value of your transaction.
There really is a “Goldilocks” zone we are going for. If your price is too high, buyers will pass you by. If it’s too low, you’ll likely earn less than you should. When it’s just right, you attract attention, and the highest chance of receiving multiple offers.
17. Stage Your Home to Sell
Technically, staging falls under the heading of “how to get your house ready for sale.” We’ve put it later on the list, though, as it’s one of the last things to do before buyers begin their in-person visits.
By this point, your house is clean and all chosen repairs are made. Now, it’s a matter of designing it in a way that offers maximum appeal, both for real-life buyers and for the photos and videos. An experienced real estate agent can help you decide how to stage your home to sell quickly. In fact, many teams offer the service as part of their package.
18. Get Ready for Showings
Your house is prepared; the next question is, are you ready? During showings, it is always best if the homeowner is away so the buyer can feel at ease. This means you’ll need a plan, especially if you have children or pets.
Perhaps you could get away and visit friends or relatives while your house is on the market. Alternatively, home showings might be a great time for a vacation or weekend getaway.
In between showings, it’s essential that you maintain your home for last-minute viewings. Buyers want to visit on their schedule. Being constantly ready increases your chances of receiving an offer.
Should you look to Guelph for your new home? The posts below will give you food for thought:
- Is Guelph, Ontario, a Good Place to Live?
- 5 Reasons to Make Guelph Your Next Home
- What Are the Best Guelph Neighbourhoods for Families
19. Create a Moving Checklist
Your house is about to hit the market, and a successful transaction could be right around the corner. Once you accept an offer, you’re on to a whole new project, packing and getting ready for a move.
If you’ve decluttered thoroughly in the previous steps, packing up will be a little less daunting. If you’ve already arranged for professional movers, this process will be even easier. There is a reason we take a step-by-step approach to selling a house.
If you haven’t already, now is an excellent time to think about your new home. Our Home Buying Checklist can help keep the process moving!
20. Implement Your Plan
Knowing all of the steps to selling a house is one thing. Actually doing them is a little more involved. However, with the support of a full-service real estate team, the transaction can be more straightforward than you anticipate.
The first step is often the most challenging. Once you get the ball rolling, you’re well on your way to an exciting new beginning.
Do you want personalized guidance for your home sale? Our top Guelph real estate agents are here to answer all of your questions. Reach out today at info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 for more information.
