Late spring and early summer are often considered the best time to sell a house, as many families like to time their move with the school break to make the transition easier on their kids (among other factors). So if you’re planning to sell your home this year, now is a good time to start getting it listing-ready. Real estate tech platform Set Schedule is here with some tips on how to prepare your home for sale.
Start by Choosing your Listing Agent
Even if you’re months out from being ready to sell, it’s good to start off by connecting with a listing agent. They’ll have the best advice on what home buyers are looking for in your area, and what you need to do to improve your chances of getting a great selling price. You may already have an agent in mind, perhaps someone in your social network, or the person who helped you buy your current home. If not, Set Schedule can connect you to agents in your area.
Determine How Much Work Your Home Needs
Our homes suffer a certain amount of wear-and-tear, and even if you’ve taken good care of your house, it may need a little extra attention before it goes on the market. Take stock of any repairs that are needed, any walls that might need repainted to neutral colors, any improvements to the outside that could boost your curb appeal. Your agent will probably have some great advice for you on this.
Set a Timeline and a Budget
If you’re starting in February with an eye towards a summer sale, you have a few months to make your improvements. Sit down and make a timeline based on things like prioritizing major tasks, and scheduling outdoors tasks for when the weather should be more hospitable. Make a budget for each project, so you can budget for each month’s work. Set Schedule recommends padding your estimate for both time and expense. The rule of DIY projects is that they always take longer and cost more than expected.
Consider Getting a Storage Unit
Part of getting your home ready to sell is staging it for potential buyers. This means removing clutter and personal items. Sometimes it even means putting in new furniture and decor items to create a more neutral sense of style. You may find it necessary to have a storage unit for a few months for anything that needs to be removed from the home during the staging process.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Reach out to your social network for help with getting your home ready to sell. You might be surprised at the tasks which your friends and family would love to help with. Some people genuinely enjoy painting rooms, decluttering closets, or getting their hands in the dirt for some landscape maintenance. Of course you should be prepared to either pay it forward by lending your hand with tasks in the future, or at least generously reward your helpers with lots of food and drink while they’re working on your home.
Set Schedule is Here to Help
When you’re ready to sell your home, Set Schedule has many resources to help. In addition to connecting you with an agent, they have tools for estimating your home’s value, and a blog full of great advice on getting your home ready to sell.