10 Things To Do Before Listing Your Home

The real estate market has been on the seller’s side these last few years and seems to be the trend the next few. Despite that, many homes don’t sell for the right price and that’s because it was broken from inside or didn’t have a good listing agent represent the sale. Before you list your home in Kingston, go through this checklist to prepare your property and manage expectations:

1) Know why you really want to go

Some reasons are obvious, such as the need to sell if you’re moving to another city or putting in an offer on a new home. Other needs may be less definite, such as outgrowing your space or concerns about cash flow. By working with a mortgage agent in Kingston, you can assess financing options and the costs of moving against the costs of staying and make the best choice.

2) Set your expectations

Get a professional assessment of your home’s value to help you determine reasonable price expectations before you even list your home. This is especially important if you’re planning to finance a new home. It also becomes a standard when interviewing real estate agents as someone who estimates too high or too low is not a great professional to work with.

3) See your home through others’ eyes

Try to see your home through a stranger’s critical eyes. Make a list of major or minor improvements to make. Your real estate agent should be able to point out your home’s best features and be frank with you about its worst.

4) Do your fix-ups

Repaint or at least touch up interior and exterior paint for a fresh, polished look. Replace items that show wear and tear. You can instantly modernize a room with upgrades to faucets or drawer pulls. Make sure light fixtures and windows are clean and bright to cast a good light on your home.

5) Maintain the mechanicals

It’s not quite the glamorous stuff of décor magazines, but your home’s mechanical systems can make or break a sale with some buyers. Have the chimney and furnace inspected and cleaned. Check drains and ductwork. Fix any plumbing problems. Energy-efficient systems may increase your home’s appeal.

6) Clean and declutter

You can’t hear this too many times. An open room will help buyers picture their own belongings in the space. Take away anything that’s personal from photo frames to decor that’s too specific or niche. When a potential buyer walks in, they want to see minimal aesthetic as it lets them imagine themselves in the house.

7) Make a seasonal album

Help potential buyers appreciate your gorgeous perennial garden or your lush balcony view out of season by preparing a photo album. This is such an underrated cheat code because it adds a touch of personality to your property and helps it stand apart.

8) Have a copy of your property survey

A land survey can be a plus for marketing your property in a competitive market. An existing survey should suffice, depending on when it was completed or what physical changes have been made. Some buyers may need this to meet their lender’s requirement of a survey before approving a mortgage loan on a property.

9) Brush up your curb appeal

First impressions are everything in a competitive housing market, so show off your home’s best face. Tidy up the landscaping, invest in high-quality porch lights or house numbers, and choose a few tasteful accessories to create an inviting entranceway. Hire a professional stager before you take photos and videos.

For more information, call Leo at 613.876.0777