Step 1 - Take a Maintenance Inventory
Your first step should be to walk around your home – inside and out and make a list of any repairs, deferred maintenance you think might be necessary prior to selling. Some examples might be fresh paint, updated lighting, repairing plumbing leaks, caulking, cleaning or replacing stained carpet, staining decks, or tidying landscaping.
Step 2 - Call Us for a Pre-Listing Walkthrough
Step #1 may cause you to ask, “Do I really need to complete all of these? Which ones do I have to pay attention to and which improvements might not be worth the investment?” We are happy to go through your list with you and give you suggestions based on our experience of small investments which make BIG impacts when selling.
Step 3 - Make Repairs and Improvements
This step in the process usually requires the most amount of time – but is totally dependent on the amount and type of repairs you identify. Ordering carpet may require more lead time than painting a room, so planning ahead pays off.
Step 4 - Declutter and Start Packing
You’ll need to pack it anyway, so begin this process as you prepare your home for staging. All personal photos, knick knacks, etc can be removed and packed. Our pre-listing walkthrough will help you to identify what to pack and what to leave. Some sellers find it necessary to rent some temporary storage space for the listing timeframe if ample storage space isn’t available at your home.
Step 5 - Consider Testing for Radon
There is a heightened awareness of radon in homes and the dangers it poses. Buyers will usually test for radon unless a test has already been performed and safe results were reported. Dealing with radon ahead of time can relieve stress of having to take care of it right before closing.
