It’s never too early to start thinking about how to prepare your home for going on the market. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to know the exact time you plan to sell before starting the preparation. We’re here to tell you that that’s not true! We understand that getting started is the most difficult part; here are some tips on the early steps you can take to make the eventual process of selling easier.
1. The Semi-Annual Purge
Things pile up. One of the most challenging obstacles when preparing your home for the market is figuring out what to do with all your stuff! Our friend, Professional Organizer Lisa Linard, wrote a blog for us on how to get rid of stuff fast once you’ve determined you want to sell. A great alternative is to stay on top of decluttering on a more regular basis. Take that spring and fall cleaning seriously and try to get rid of those unused items that are just sitting in the back of your closet. Once you decide to sell, the decluttering becomes way less stressful.
2. Taking it one room at a time
Some spaces in your home do not get the same use as others. This is especially true for empty nesters with bedrooms that either collect dust – or become catch-all spaces. Chances are these spaces have personal touches, and while the color and the layout might have been perfect for the previous occupant, they might not necessarily be suitable for showings. Think about preparing these spaces first. Getting those spaces in shape for sale can be a huge weight off of your back when the time finally comes for selling.
3. Don’t Neglect Necessary Repairs
We’ve mentioned this item in a few previous blog posts, and it remains one of the most critical items, regardless of whether you plan to sell next week, next year, or in 5 years. Keeping up with the necessary home repairs not only increases the asking price of your home but will save you money in the long run.
While all these tips are helpful, we at CHS realize that it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Even if you’re unsure about your timeline for selling your home, we’re happy to work with you. As a gift, we can provide guidance and assistance with three hours with professional organizer Lisa Linard because we know getting started is the hardest part.