With a big life event like selling your house, it’s good to have a focused list of activities necessary to complete during the process. To make it easier, let’s break it down into projects, deadlines, and responsibilities. So, what should you include and what needs to be done before selling a house?
How to Get Your House Ready to Sell
Below is a list ordered by how to proceed. These tasks can be done while working in tandem with your loan officer and agent who are helping you shop for and purchase your next place.
- Find Your Real Estate Agent – Your agent will be your guide, negotiator, and expert with your home selling process. Once you find your favorite real estate agent, discuss your tasks below and review your timeline with them to begin making plans.
- Declutter and Pack – Taking the time to do a good job of removing personal items, general clutter, and unnecessary possessions in your home will be effective when your home is listed, photographed, shown, plus for your move. This stage can help reduce the amount of work it takes to keep your home looking good and work through what you will take to your new home right from the beginning.
- Deep Clean – While you’re cleaning, review your house and make note of repairs that need addressing. Set up a location with your cleaning supplies to access easily when showings start.
- Improve Curb Appeal and Address Repairs – From your yard to your porch and the front of your home, this is the spot that needs to shine brightest. It should look good, neutral, and appealing for the general public. Personal signs, knick-knacks, and decor should be modest and simple. Your house should also be clean, maintained, and in good condition to charm home shoppers coming to buy in your neighborhood.
- Staging – Giving your house a lived-in but uncluttered appearance helps a home sell more easily and quickly. Buyers get a better feel for a home, how they can see themselves and their life in the home, and the way a space can fit their belongings better when a home is staged. And of course, your real estate agent can give you staging tips and advice.
- Photograph and List your Home – You will make a timeline with your real estate agent for photography and listing your home for the MLS.
- Prepare for Showings – Keeping your home decluttered and having packed a number of your belongings already greatly helps with this stage. Whether you have a cleaning crew or it is you and your family, consider doing a light clean up every day as people are making appointments to see the house and expect everything to look exceptional.
Working with an Experienced Memphis Area Real Estate Agent
When it’s time to sell your existing home or buy a great new place, turn to a highly regarded and well-informed local real estate agent. You want someone who you can trust to give you the best advice and know-how for your new home purchase or sale. Check out my other great real estate articles to help you through your home selling and buying experience here in Memphis. Staging homes for sale is also part of my expertise. Please ask me about it when you reach out.
Take a minute to learn more about me. With over 20 years of top-notch service for my clients, I can guide you with your house sale, new home purchase, or buying a great parcel of land. As a top, licensed real estate agent in the Memphis area, showing you the best properties for you and your family is my goal!
Contact me at (901) 828-8919 or drop me a quick note at angie@angiekelley.com and we can speak in person about your plans and options.
