Preparing Your Home to Sell in the Current Market
- Troy Grimes, REALTOR®
- Jul 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Despite higher mortgage interest rates over the past year, homes continue to sell. There's still time to prep your home to get it listed and sold in 2024. Read on for 5 action steps to take today.
As a seller, your home's curb appeal is the first impression seen by potential buyers. Your home's exterior, including the yard and driveway, should entice prospective buyers into wanting to see more.
Start the Process Now
Selling a house can be a daunting task. Proper preparation leads to sound execution and a faster sale. Start with the end in mind. How soon you wish to sell, and where your journey takes you next. Here are 5 pre-market tips to heed now.
Tip #1 - Declutter.
This means getting rid of some belongings. Don't just shuffle items to the garage, the attic, or stuff inside closets. Rehome furniture that won't be going to the next home. Sell online. Hold a garage or estate sale. Donate it. Can't let go? Rent a storage unit. You want potential buyers to perceive the home as spacious and tidy. 'Less is more' when it comes to pre-marketing staging.
Tip #2 - Enhance Curb Appeal.
Clean debris from yard. Cut grass. Prune bushes and low hanging tree limbs. Pressure wash entire home, sidewalk, concrete driveway and patio. Replace and paint any decayed boards. Wash windows inside-out. Inspect the roof and make needed repairs or replace if older. Clean out gutters. Mulch flower beds, replacing dead plants. Paint the front door and hang a new flag. i.e. The home's curb appeal should entice potential buyers to want to see what's inside.
A 2020 study by the University of Texas at Arlington published in The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics determined, "curb appeal in residential housing could account for up to 7% of a home’s value when sold."
Tip #3 - Refresh Walls and Floors.
The second impression the buyer forms happens within seconds of entering your home. New interior paint, not only looks fresh, it smells good. Have carpets professionally cleaned or replaced. Clean, polish, or refinish wood flooring. Consider replacing dated carpets and tiles with luxury vinyl flooring product.
Tip #4 - Repair or Replace Non-functioning Items.
Evaluate all of the home's mechanical and distribution systems. This includes built-in appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and any electrical issues. Perform needed repairs or make replacements. Replace burned out lamps in light fixtures and ceiling fans with matching lamp colors. DIY simpler tasks. Schedule licensed contractors for items beyond your skill level or area of expertise.
Tip #5 - Call a Trusted Real Estate Agent.
Contact your trusted REALTOR® now to schedule an initial consultation and walk-through. Before you commence with marketing your home, you'll also need help identifying where you'll be landing next. Quality homes that are well-prepped, and priced right, are selling within days of listing activation. Once your existing home goes under contract (in most cases) you'll only have about 30 days to vacate.
Act Now to Sell Your Home
With a continued shortage of saleable housing inventory, experts still predict a modest housing market for existing (re-sale) homes during the remainder of 2024. Discerning buyers will be shopping for "turn key" properties, and are often willing to pay more for a premium, "re-conditioned" home. Will your home be ready?
About the author: Troy Grimes is an actively licensed NC real estate broker, and principal Member-Manager, and Broker-in-Charge, of Troy Grimes Realty LLC. His independent firm specializes in general brokerage services for re-sale and new construction homes in the greater Raleigh, NC region and surrounding areas. An alumnus of East Carolina University, with a background in luxury retail sales, Troy's recent blogs offer expert editorials on the housing market, consumer behaviors, and related anecdotes. You may follow or connect with Troy on social media including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram @TroyGrimesREALTOR. To receive a FREE copy of Troy's pre-marketing checklist for home sellers, email Troy directly at homes@troygrimes.com
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