Selling Checklist – What to do before you sell.
We are so excited to help you get your home ready for the market. Investing your time, energy and resources into the suggestions below may help you net thousands more on your home.
When you list with The Carter Group, your home will be seen by thousands. If you have not already set up a time to meet with us, let us show you our cutting edge marketing and how we use technology to market our listings.
First impressions matter, Since most buyers will first see your home online, having it ready to go for the photo and video shoot is very important.
We will work together to help you prepare your home. Please do not feel the need to have your home show ready before our first walk through. We have sold and closed hundreds of homes. It is very rare that any home is 100% ready to go when we first meet. Don’t be embarrassed to show us around. Your home may look a lot like our own homes with piles of laundry, legos everywhere and kids homework spread out all over the dining room table. If so, that’s okay.
During our Realtor walk through you will see us taking notes. This is to help us market your home, and note the key features that make your home stand out. We will decide a date that you want your home actively listed, and the following will proceed from there. If you would like, we can discuss possible improvements. We will only suggest things that will help you decrease your days on market and increase your profit to help get top dollar for your home.
Here are some examples:
Changing the light bulbs and updating light fixtures: It’s easy to forget about the bulbs that have burned out over the years, but you will want your home to be as bright as possible. Lighting makes an incredible difference. Please ensure every bulb is working, including lamps, pool light, landscaping lights and the light over your oven. We will have all the lights on, and the blinds open for photo day.
Get some boxes: A big part of the adventure you’re about to embark on involves reducing clutter. (You can find free boxes on local FB neighborhood pages.) Think of it as getting a head start on moving. You’ll want your home clutter free so the new owner can picture themselves living there. Box up anything you are not using. Organize closets and pantries. Think of your last visit to a model home. Less is more.
Keep in mind that valuables, what is seen in the photos will also be seen on the internet. Be sure to put away any valuables, money, medications and firearms.
Storage unit or garage: Consider storing any boxes, clutter, bulky furniture pieces and toys in a storage unit or neatly in the garage. If your furniture is old, damaged and worn, it may be best to show that room empty. The team will help put a plan together for any furniture that may need to be removed or relocated.
Make an extra set of keys: Prospective Buyers and their agents will need to access your home for showings, so you’ll need an extra set of keys for the lockbox. Agent showings are typically scheduled through a showing service such as BrokerBay. Sellers and the Listing Agent will receive a text notification for all showing requests. Agents will only access your home upon an approved showing by you. Be sure to approve showings as soon as possible.
Tackle the bathrooms: Remove all the toiletries you have on display, counters should be clear. Think white and bright!
Laundry room: Should be cleaned and organized. If you have a shelf above your washer and dryer with a bunch of stuff on it, consider 3 matching bins to hide your stuff. Look at Pinterest laundry rooms for ideas.
Spruce up the kitchen: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms for Buyers, so if you’re looking to skip a room, this shouldn’t be it. You’ll want the counters to be as clear as possible. Clean the microwave, fridge (and remove the magnets, photos and reminders). You may also want to clear the decor on top of the cabinets which can be distracting and collect dust.
Next up: The bedrooms should be inviting. That means more cleaning and decluttering. Remove any bulky furniture that you are not using.
Master closet: Take a close look at what you have not worn in over a year (including shoes). It may be a good idea to pack up those items or donate them. Less clothing helps your closet appear larger.
Tackling the living room: Clean the sofa and chairs.. Hide the magazine rack and all the clutter that has accumulated. Hide the wires from your TV/stereo/speakers in all rooms, especially for photo and video day.
Dining room: Remove the kids’ homework and the piles of stuff that may have accumulated on the dining room table. Simplicity is key. If you have a centerpiece, utilize it on the table.
Store vs. donate vs. throw away: It’s a pain (and expensive) to store all the stuff you don’t really need. Don’t pack anything that you don’t plan to bring to the next house. Consider donating anything you do not want or things that you have not used in over a year including clothing. Have a garage sale or post items for sale or give away on local FB pages. Karm and Goodwill are also great options for donations.
The entrance: Remember that most Buyers will have an emotional reaction to your home within 15 seconds of entering it, so what they experience at the entrance is CRITICAL.
You will want your entrance and front yard to be clean and inviting. Power wash exterior and driveway if needed. Keep the front porch swept before showings.
Backyard: Ensure your yard is free of weeds, clean and inviting. If you have a pool ensure the water is clear and the pool tile is clean.
To Do List:
Do all the projects that you’ve been avoiding including the leaky faucet, the picture holes in the wall, etc. before listing. If you aren’t handy yourself, bring in a handyman to take care of it. Replace air filters. We do have a list of preferred service providers available.
Make plans for the pets: Prospective Buyers may not love your pets as much as you. Make a plan to have your pets out of the house for showings if possible. Remove all signs of pets for photo and video day (hide bowls, litter boxes, crates).
Make plans for the kids’ stuff. Most Buyer’s won’t want to look at all your kids’ toys or finger painting works of art. It may also help to store the extra toys in a hall closet for showings.
Let’s talk about smells: A clean smell and a deodorized smell are two different things. A strong scent can distract the Buyer’s ability to make a decision and may make them think that you are trying to cover up another smell. You may want to also limit cooking certain things that leave a strong odor before showings. Vanilla and citrus are some of the best scents. Essential oils are a great option too.
Staging: There are certain situations where some light or full staging may be recommended. We will discuss this option with you in more detail during our walk-through.
Photo and video shoot. When your home is ready, it’s time for the photographer and videographer to work their magic. This will happen a few days before you list your home for sale. Natural light is very important, please plan to have all lights on and blinds open for this day. We like to shoot in the best lighting possible. We promise that all of your hard work will be well worth it!
The final once-over: Take one final walk through all the rooms and adjust as necessary. Do you see anything that might distract or turn off a Buyer?
Showings: Consider leaving some bottled water and snacks out for potential buyers with a note neatly on the kitchen counter. Buyers love this! Open blinds to let the natural light in. Turn the lights on and secure valuable items, including medication, cash and jewelry.
Final note: We’ve helped clients accomplish everything on this list in as little as four days. We are here to help every step of the way. We are a team. If you need any help, have questions or additional referrals we have you covered!
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please complete the seller consultation form to set up a time to meet one on one with the team.