Home seller question: What steps should I take to prepare my home for sale?
/by Brian Huie on 7/8/2024
Some common home preparation includes painting the interior and replacing or refinishing floors.
We don’t take a “one size fits all” approach to preparing or recommending preparations for your home sale. Every home has it’s own unique “pros and cons” and maintenance needs. However, there are some areas in which we can generalize what may be important to buyers who will see your home.
For most home buying “micro” markets of our region, buyers are looking for a home that is move-in ready. For many, this means they do not want to paint the home before they move in, but they also don’t want a home with colors that aren’t to their taste (or that has a lot of scuffs and dings on the walls). For this reason, painting the interior of your home is something we frequently recommend. A simple, white “canvas” will attract many buyers looking for a move-in ready home. And, freshly painted walls creates a feeling of a well maintained home, which will help them feel more comfortable with your home.
Another common area that we recommend maintenance or replacement is flooring. Hardwood floors that are damaged or scratched may need refinishing; carpet that is bunching, stained, or worn may need replacement, and floors with other damages or that are very outdated may need replacement.
Although these two areas are common in home sale preparation every home is different. Not all homes needs anything done in the areas of paint and flooring. Some homes have a lot of deferred maintenance that should be addressed before buyers start viewing the home. Some homes are in excellent condition and well maintained, but will be in competition with other homers with newer finishes. There are many scenarios that could affect the specific area we recommend addressing in your home preparation efforts. The sooner you reach out to me, the easier your home preparation process will be, because you’ll have a customized list of options to move forward with.
