Think you’re ready to sell your home? Not so fast. Selling a home is a process that shouldn’t be rushed. Here are some steps I recommend taking before that for sale sign goes up. 

Research the market

Your first step should always be researching the market and finding out how your home stacks up. To get started, take a quick drive around your neighborhood and count the ‘for sale’ signs. How many are there, and how many of them say “sold?” If homes aren’t selling within a reasonable time from the listing date, it might be a sign that your house could be on the market for a while.

It’s also a good idea to research other listings and recent sales more in-depth. Real estate agents use ‘comparables’ – similar homes that sold in your area – to help them price your home. You can get a quick snapshot of what to expect from the sale of your home by comparing it to others.  

Shop open houses

Open houses (PUT A LINK HERE TO THE ALREADY WRITTEN BONUS BLOG POST “IS AN ‘OPEN HOUSE’ TODAY THE BEST THING FOR SELLING YOUR HOME?”) are not just for home buyers, they’re also a great resource for potential sellers. Once you find a home for sale that compares to yours, don’t be afraid to stop by the open house and pretend  (really?) you’re interested. Talk to the seller’s real estate agent and ask them what the home’s best (and worst) features are. Take note of what potential buyers are saying about the home, and what features they seem to be noticing. If everyone is swooning over an updated kitchen, consider doing something similar before you list. 

Find the right real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent builds a strong foundation for the sale of your home. Once you’ve found the right person, everything else can fall into place. A quick Google search will produce pages upon pages of results, but you want someone who is well-versed in the real estate market. 

As a real estate agent, I work exclusively with homes in southeastern OK, (don’t limit yourself to just Durant – even in your blog) and I can tell you that not all cities are created equal. Shop locally, but shop around, and don’t settle until you’ve found someone you’re confident in. If you need more tips, read my blog post about finding the right real estate agent for you. 

Consider upgrades 

From shopping open houses (also in Durant, consider there aren’t many public open houses to go to – this might not be the best advice), you probably have a good sense of what buyers are looking for. Consider some small upgrades to your home that can have a big impact on your sale price. A little goes a long way, but don’t go overboard. While some buyers are looking for a turnkey home, others want to make updates that match their personal taste. 

Ask your real estate agent what buyers are looking for, and what updates they think will make the biggest difference to your home. Often a few coats of paint in a neutral color can do just the trick. Homebuyers can struggle with seeing past these little details. What is a nursery to one person can be a home office to another.

Get a home inspection

Home inspections are typically done after a buyer makes an offer, but consider getting one done yourself. Home inspectors will point out any issues (whether minor or major) with your home that you need to know about, so you’ll be able to fix any problems or price your home accordingly. 

If you wait for the buyer to bring in their inspector, any unexpected issues could delay the sale and/or even halt the sale entirely. If you don’t know where to find a home inspector, your real estate agent will be able to recommend someone who’s familiar with your area and the local requirements. 

Talk to your bank or mortgage broker

You might be focused on selling right now, but you should still be thinking ahead to your next home purchase. Think about what you can afford in your next home, and make sure you know exactly what the process will be for transferring your mortgage or getting a new one. You can never be too prepared! 

Now that you’re prepared to put your home on the market, let’s set up a call to chat all things Durant real estate. Click here to book a time that works for you. Whether you’re selling a home in Durant, OK or anywhere else, one of the most difficult yet critical tasks can be finding the right real estate agent. Chosen right, a real estate agent who understands the local market can make or break a sale.   

So getting just any agent is not the best course of action here.  It takes knowing what to look for to make a great choice.  

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Feeling overwhelmed? This home seller checklist will help you achieve a market-ready home by knowing which things should be prioritized. Use this guide to prepare your home before selling, minus the stress and worry.

As you go around to every room, remember that your main objective should be getting rid of dirt, clutter, and personal items. Follow this rule and your house will stand out like a mountain peak against the horizon.

To Clean, Repair or Replace:

Update lighting, replace switch covers, install new light bulbs

Inspect heating and cooling systems, AC/Heater vents and for those with fireplaces—always have them chimney swept

Check and make any upgrades to the front door, room doors, door knobs

Update carpets and blinds with fresher fabric

To Dust:

Walls and ceilings—watch out for cobwebs

Baseboards and windows

Ceiling fans

To wash/repaint:

Exterior walls and trims

Outdoor furniture

Front door

Windows

Porch, deck or patio

To Remove:

Figurines

Family photos

Personal collections e.g. music memorabilia, doll collectibles, religious material, etc.

Scented candles and oils

To Reduce:

Furniture

Houseplants

Books

Wall art / free-standing art pieces

Living Room/ Common areas

Clear tables, remove ashtrays (if any)

Rearrange furniture to maximize space

Stash toys and knick-knacks away

Stage the area with pillows, throw blankets, and minimal décor

Bedrooms:

Store personal belongings in cabinets, closets, and drawers

Clear the clutter and random items off the dresser and side tables

Remove decors, framed photos, and other memorabilia

Keep closets clean and organized

If possible, use matching bed sheets, pillows, and covers

Dust, vacuum and clean the floors and walls

Dining Room:

Clear the dining table, leave the centerpiece

Limit the seats to 4 or 6 chairs maximum

Keep the chandelier to a standard length, 60” from the floor

Kitchen:

Clear the countertops, store random kitchen items away

Remove refrigerator magnets, posted notes, pictures and decors, etc.

Lessen the number of dishes, pots and pans, and utensils

Store away and box up cooking supplies and small appliances

Scrub, unclog, and polish the sink

Degrease the oven (use the self-cleaning option, if available), microwave and stove

Replace worn out stove burners

Bleach kitchen tiles, or regrout

Organize the pantry

Hide all cleaning items such as brooms, rags, mops and vacuum

Remove pet supplies, including food and dishes

Empty the trash bin

Repair loose cabinets and drawers, replace outdated handles

Bathroom/ toilet/ laundry area:

Scrub tiles, sink, tub, and shower areas

Put away all clothes, whether clean or dirty

Keep the floors dry and clean

Replace shower curtains at bathroom mats

Hide personal toiletries

Store cleaning tools and supplies

Close toilet lids, remove covers (if there are any)

Replace caulking and grout

Garage/ driveway/ footpaths:

Eliminate clutter

Pressure wash dirty concrete

Replace rotten surfaces

Yard:

Trim plant overgrowth

Mow the lawn

Add mulch, bright flowers

Prune bushes

Remove dead trees, stumps, and falling limbs

Roof/gutters:

Inspect for holes, stagnant water, and leaks

This list will help you make your home ready for listing, by knowing which things are needed to be prioritized. It’s all about cleaning, decluttering, fixing, freshening up and staging.

The perfect home is usually the one where buyers can see themselves moving in. So it is important to remove any trace of your personality in the home you are selling and make it look welcoming for everyone and anyone.   Whether you’re buying or selling, We can help you, just send me a message or call my number today. 

Sources:
https://www.remax.com/blog/10-things-to-do-before-you-sell-your-house/
https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/home-selling-checklist-things-to-do-before-selling/