10 Things To Do Before Listing Your Home: A Checklist
Let's say that in a few months from now, you have made up your mind to sell your house. There are a million things you might be thinking of that will improve your odds of getting a good offer, including swapping out damaged flooring, repainting rooms in the house, or fixing the landscaping. The longer you think about it, the more the mental to-dos add up. It is important to know what projects are worth tackling and what to leave as-is. In this article, we will examine ten things to do before listing your home as a complete checklist to make the sale smoother.
1. Declutter Your Home
A few months before you list your home, you should begin the declutter process. When you think about items such as children's toys, bathroom toiletries, and stacks of mail, the realization you have been holding onto too many items can settle in. Decluttering can help you get your house ready for the market. A tidy home will present well in listing photos and in person and entice buyers to make a strong offer. Clear countertops, pare down items on display, sort through stacks of papers (mail, paperwork, notepads, etc), pack away small appliances, get plastic containers, rifle through nightstands, throw away expired pantry and refrigerator, and reduce closet items.
2. Deep Clean Areas Generally Forgotten
If you plan on living in your house while selling it, you will need to get into a good routine of regular cleaning and fast spruce-ups before buyers start to pop in for showings. However, these tasks will be easier if you deep clean, which is something that should take priority before listing your home. Neglected areas in your home include ceiling fans that should be dusted, doors and interiors of cabinets and closets that should be wiped down, beneath appliances that should be cleaned, and baseboards that should be deep cleaned using a vacuum or sponged down.
3. Take Care of Neglected Maintenance
Whether you opt to take care of major repairs, like fixing a leaky roof before selling, which is a conversation that needs to be had with a trusted real estate agent and evaluated based on your budget. You can get ahead on making minor repairs around the house to ensure everything is in good working order before buyers come through. We recommend starting with the following:
- The HVAC should be serviced if it has been more than a year since its last service date.
- Holes should be patched in drywall.
- Air filters should be changed.
- Burned-out lightbulbs should be replaced.
- Ensure windows open and close, and make repairments to any that stick.
- Leaky faucets and water heaters should be fixed.
- Kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures should function correctly.
4. Have Repair and Renovation Records & Receipts On-Hand
If you have lived in your home for years, chances are you have both records and receipts for appliance upgrades and repairs on hand, as well as services to your HVAC and fireplace. Collect them now and have them ready for your real estate agent, property appraiser, and home inspector. Unless you are purchasing new construction, buyers will consider your home as "used" and may wonder how soon they have to repair or replace something. If you can prove that you have spent the money and time to upgrade your home or keep it in top working order, you are crossing chores off a buyer's to-do list to make your home appear more attractive.
5. Work Closely with a Great Real Estate Agent
When you prepare to sell your home, ensure that you hire an agent as a top priority. When contracting a realtor, it will vary depending on how quickly you want to get your house sold and the condition of your home. Consider reaching out three months in advance to give your agent enough time to prepare your home for sale. When contacting an agent, you can get help in several ways:
- Data on your home's value can be accessed through an agent's comparative market analysis.
- Tailored advice can be received on what repairs or updates your home needs to sell and what you can get away with skipping.
- Steps will have to be coordinated for a pre-listing inspection and title report before your house hits the market.
6. Consider Getting a Pre-Sale Inspection
If you feel familiar with your home, there might be hidden issues that even you have yet to notice. Rather than hearing about issues for the first time from a buyer's home inspection, consider ordering a pre-listing home inspection so that you aren't surprised after you have accepted an offer. The size of your home, the state of the market, and the inspector's experience will depend on how much you can expect to pay for the home inspection. If you do not have enough money to cover repairments upfront, talk to your agent about selling the home as-is, or consider requesting a cash offer on your home instead.
7. Get a Preliminary Title Report
A preliminary title report is a summary document that tells you and the seller if anything is outstanding on your property before putting your house on the market. It is, in other words, a precautionary report. If there are liens against the property for unpaid property taxes, HOA fees, child support, a lender, or any other reasons, you will be unable to close on the home until you settle and clear the lien. Title issues will take a while to resolve, and it is best to start digging as soon as you can. A preliminary title search can reveal deed restrictions or limits to the property's use, like the type and amount of vehicles allowed on the property, with valuable details an agent needs to know before listing your home.
8. Do Selective and Light Remodeling
You have likely heard buyers such as turnkey homes or those that are move-in ready. This is why agents might recommend light renovation projects. Many buyers have done all of this work to get their home ready for sale. Minor updates such as the following can be made to ensure a home feels fresh, including:
- Replacing dated light fixtures, faucets, ceiling fans, and hardware.
- Install new kitchen and bathroom faucet fixtures if yours is dated.
- Remove paint and wallpaper over the walls in neutral colors.
- Paint over-dated kitchen cabinets a fresh shade of a natural color, like white.
- Re-stain aging hardwood floors.
- Steam clean carpets or replace unsalvageable carpeting with a durable, neutral, and affordable selection.
9. Boost Curb Appeal
Turn your eye outdoors to your home's exterior, as good curb appeal will add to the resale value of your home. Impactful outdoor projects include the following:
- The lawn should be taken care of by yourself, or opt to hire a lawn care service professional to mow the yard and fertilizer.
- Apply a fresh layer of mulch.
- If your home lacks an outdoor living space, consider installing a simple patio set.
- Paint the front door with a fun color to create a welcoming focal point.
10. Estimate Net Proceedings
Selling a home is a costly process, which is why it is helpful to have a general idea of the expenses before listing the property for sale. A seller will usually pay between 6% to 10% of the final sale price in closing costs to cover the following:
- Commissions for the agent.
- Transfer taxes.
- Prorated property taxes.
- Recording fees.
- Escrow fees.
- Concessions for the seller.
It is unlikely you will know how much you will take home until your estimated settlement statement is received at closing along with an itemized breakdown or credits and fees. To get a good idea of your costs and payout, we recommend following these steps:
- Gain a home value estimate.
- Review your agent's CMA for an accurate guage of the home's fair market value.
- Subtract your current mortgage balance and selling fees from the sale price.
- Your estimate should be kept in mind and can be subject to change based on how negotiations go with the buyer.
Bottom Line
There is plenty to do and consider before listing your house on the market. Not every project is worth the effort, time, or money. We recommend turning your eye to focusing on impactful tasks, such as addressing key maintenance issues, finding an experienced real estate agent, and enhancing curb appeal, all of which can be guided by your real estate professional through the process.