Selling a house is no small task. From evaluating the condition of the property to listing your home. Many times they ask me if they make improvements to the house or leave it, just like this. And the best thing is to make the necessary repairs and in better conditions. The sale of your house often depends on these small details so that you can have a successful and uncomplicated sale. Check out our full guide below.
Create an action plan
Before preparing your property, make a list of the repairs that need to be made to your home. It is very important to develop a home selling plan. If you want more information on how to create a sales plan for your home, click here.
Evaluate your financial situation
Selling a house involves costs. To prepare your home for a successful sale, you must first take stock of your finances. Understanding your monthly income, savings accounts, and outstanding debt will help you prioritize your spending in the coming months.
There is always the possibility that your house will remain on the market for longer than you thought, because if your price is above the market rate then your neighbor’s house will sell first before yours, that is why it is important Have an evaluation and work with an expert real estate agent in the area who knows the market. Whether selling your home short or medium term, you’ll always want to make sure you can maintain your financial situation during that time.
Understanding your finances will also help you determine how much money you can allocate toward home selling costs, such as agent commissions, closing costs, and staging expenses.
Evaluate the condition of your property
The condition of your home will inevitably affect the value of your property. Enlisting the help of a professional home inspector will help you accurately assess the condition of your home and identify necessary repairs.
Research the local real estate market
An experienced agent will advise sellers on sales prices and the best time to sell. However, all sellers should do their due diligence and educate themselves on local market conditions. This involves staying up to date on buyer preferences, comparable properties, and recent sales. Knowing this information will help you plan the sale of your home and allow you to ask for a competitive price.
Prepare your home for sale
Address necessary repairs around the house. Critical repairs related to the roof, foundation, electrical system, and plumbing system should not be put off. The longer you wait to address these types of problems around the house, the more expensive it will be to repair them in the future. It’s best to get a head start on vital home repairs to minimize property damage and maximize your sales price. Home buyers are naturally attracted to properties that exhibit excellent maintenance. When a home shows neglect or deferred maintenance, buyers are more likely to view the property as a burden. Even a simple faucet leak can leave a bad impression. On the other hand, a well-maintained home has a better chance of passing the home inspection process, spending less time on the market, and selling for a higher asking price.
Consider home renovations with a high return on investment
If you’ve owned and lived in your home for a while, chances are your home needs remodeling so you can benefit from at least some upgrades. Some of the best ones that are considered important in sales are:
Bathroom improvements
Landscaping improvements
Kitchen improvements
Replacement of entrance doors
The renovations you undertake are ultimately your decisions, but real estate agents agree that there are two types of rooms that sell homes: kitchens and bathrooms. When in doubt about which home improvement will benefit you the most as a seller, prioritize bathroom and kitchen renovations. Make sure you don’t spend too much on renovations that won’t generate a fair return.
Focus on first impressions
Homeowners don’t always have to spend a lot of money updating their homes. In some cases, focusing on visual appeal and entrances may be enough to capture a buyer’s attention.
Improve visual appeal with small landscaping projects
A key aspect of a home‘s visual appeal is its landscaping. Small tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, or repainting your home’s exterior can quickly and cost-effectively improve your home’s visual appeal. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, consider the following landscaping projects:
Mow the grass, fertilize the garden or remove weeds
Prune or replace dead plants
Create welcoming entrances with flowers and shrubs
Another key aspect to improving the visual appeal of your home is sprucing up your entryways. Like landscaping, the front door is often one of the first visible aspects of a home. Small projects like repainting the front door or replacing burned-out and dated light fixtures are good places to start.
Stage your home and update interiors
When it comes to preparing your home for sale, we cannot ignore the importance of staging your home. Cleanliness and order are essential to expand the appeal of your home.
Clear and depersonalize
Sellers should do everything they can to avoid presenting their homes with overcrowded closets, cramped furniture, or piles of clutter on the countertops. Deep cleaning your home is a great way to start. You can remove non-essential items from the home, such as excess furniture or winter clothing, and rent a storage unit.
If you’re still living in your home while showings are taking place, you can’t get rid of everything. However, you can take this opportunity to declutter and reorganize your furniture, clothes, shoes, and other household items.
Renew the walls of your home
Once you’ve removed a lot of personal items from your home, you may notice stains, cracks, or discolorations on the walls of your home. In many cases, applying a fresh coat of paint will do the trick and instantly rejuvenate your home.
Neutral colors are widely preferred by new homeowners and will look good in natural light.
Create open and welcoming areas
The arrangement of furniture and the layout of the room are important aspects of staging. You can do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Whichever option you choose, focus on open-concept designs that place furniture along walls and maximize usable space. The larger the space, the better.
Refine your marketing plan
Marketing your home to potential buyers is one of the most critical aspects of selling. Your listing agent will help you find the right buyer, but you can help your agent successfully market your property by:
Provide stunning photos of the property: Take high-quality images accompanied by a professional.Have a flexible schedule for visits: Allow open visits to occur even when you are not available. This will help you get to the closing date faster.
Marketing your property becomes especially important if you are moving forward with a for sale by owner transaction, as you will not have the help or network of a buyer’s agent.
In today’s digital age, the Internet is a marketplace for virtually everything that can be bought and sold. The real estate market is no exception.
Final thoughts
Home sales without proper planning and execution can quickly become a hassle and even cost you a good portion of your return on investment. Laying out a plan and patiently checking off items on your home selling list can help ensure a smooth process and that all the important aspects are addressed.
We invite you to explore all the information we have prepared to ensure a successful sale. We are here to help you in every step of the process of selling your home in Costa Rica. Contact us today!