If you’re about to list your home for sale, there are two primary goals for sellers: first – attract buyers with great listing photos and curb appeal, and second – make sure you’re not leaving money on the table by preparing your home for listing with these 5 pre-listing tips that every seller should do.
- Touch up Paint
Some realtors will suggest repainting your home’s entire interior before listing, but if that isn’t in your budget or timeframe, you can still showcase the highlights of your property without distraction of the need for paint repairs. Touching up paint chips or cracks, removing peeling wallpaper and filling/ repairing nail holes in your walls are inexpensive, fairly quick projects. Make sure you match the paint to the existing color, otherwise it will dry and be obvious – it may even look worse! If you still have the paint color in a can in the garage, remember that paint ages too. Unless the paint is less than a year old, get a new can for the best results.
2. Repair Doors and Cabinets to Good Working Order
Any doors that stick, squeak or cabinets that do not close correctly should be fixed. Similarly, any door that is slightly crooked or does not close properly also needs attention. Like paint, these types of repairs are not very expensive, but are the types of detracting things a buyer will notice when they go through your home. Having basic elements of a house in good working order is far more important than investing in new upgrades pre-listing. Make sure you are presenting your home in good, working condition. Buyers can imagine their own upgrades, but should not be distracted by basic functioning of doors and cabinets.
3. Clean or Replace Light Switches and Outlet Covers
Outlet and light switch covers get dirty, may turn yellow with age, and could be cracked or damaged. Go through your home to check each one and clean thoroughly with water and vinegar. Discolored or damaged plates should be replaced. Our advice is to replace all outlet covers in a single room (preferably throughout the house) so that they are not mismatched. This job is also fairly quick and inexpensive but necessary to keep potential buyers focused on the great things about your home, rather than on the distracting minor repairs that should have been made.
4. Check Water Pressure
Another way to showcase your home is in good working order prior to listing is to check and correct any water pressure issues. Turn on hot and cold, separately from each faucet in your home. Also check toilet flushings. If there are any noises, interruption of flow or low water pressure that cannot be explained (a low flow faucet or toilet), consider having a plumber take a look first. This also gives you a jump on potential issues that may arise during a home inspection. Replacement of your hot water tank or installation of a tankless hot water heater is a selling point for potential buyers, but may not be necessary.
5. Clean Windows and Screens and Repair Where Necessary
Help your home shine by cleaning windows and screens. Damaged screens should be replaced. If you have a window that is “cloudy” or appears to have condensation, the seal may be broken and the window should be replaced. Make sure those windows that open can still do so easily, as well. Clean window and sliding door tracks thoroughly with water and vinegar.
When you’re ready to list your home for sale, we will walk through your property to identify these, or other issues. Minor home repairs are included with our real estate brokerage services so you can focus on getting your home sold without having to invest hundreds of dollars up front. Frank is a licensed and insured residential specialty contractor, so you have confidence that repairs will be done right!
Even if you’re not interested in selling right now, we would love to help you address these issues to help you better enjoy living in your amazing home. Text or call us today: 541-788-1095. No job is too small!
