Selling your home can be overwhelming, there is a lot more to it than just packing all your possessions. Make sure you’ve considered everything on this checklist and you will be well on your way to a less stressful move.
Make sure your home is in good repair. It is important to take care of all those small, seemingly inconsequential repair issues you may have been avoiding. Hire a handyman or do the work yourself if you know how, but get it done! Potential buyers will be examining everything, and minor maintenance issues can cost you thousands (even tens of thousands) when it comes to negotiating a price.
You will be required to get an EPC (energy performance certificate) prior to selling. This is an evaluation of how much energy your home uses.
It may be prudent to do some redecorating. Your house may suit your personality perfectly, but that doesn’t mean everyone will love it as much as you have. Neutral is best when selling, so that potential buyers can envision their perfect home. The money you invest in some paint will almost certainly be returned to you by both a higher selling price and a quick sale.
In the same vein, reducing clutter is essential. No one wants to come in and look at 3 weeks worth of laundry that needs to be put away, nor do they care about your collection of knick knacks that cover every available square inch of the sitting room. It’s also best to keep family photos and other personal effects tucked away. Having less general clutter will also make it much easier to prepare for showings and open houses, where the presentation of your home is essential.
Get all applicable paperwork together. If your roof or furnace were recently replaced or are under warranty, be sure to have that information available, it can add value and the new owners will need it. Having the age of things like your central air, windows, hot water heater and any appliances that are included in the sale of your home is important, as are any instruction manuals that go along with these items. If you’ve done any major renovations or made additions to your home, your real estate agent and the new owners will need the permits and any inspection paperwork.
Decide if you want to try selling your home by yourself or through a real estate agent. Estate agents have great reach; they can advertise your home online, in newspapers and within their own networks. An agent can accurately assess the value of your home and price it according to what the market will bear. Agents are also trained in the art of negotiation, so that they can get you the highest price possible for your home. Perhaps most importantly, a real estate brokerage can guide you through the legal process of selling your home; something that can be confusing and expensive to tackle on your own.
While selling your home will never be totally stress free, knowing what you need to do for a quick sale will help reduce the stress greatly.