Selling your home and moving is an exhausting experience. I know because about this time last year, my husband, son, and I helped my daughter pack up everything and move.
It wasn’t a close move, either. She sold her existing home and bought a house four and a half hours drive away in a new city and state.
She’s young and single, so naturally, we weren’t crazy about the idea of her moving so far away. But, being the good sports that we are, we rented a truck and, with the help of some good friends and family, loaded it with everything she owned. Then we drove to her new home on the hottest day of the year.
Obviously, my daughter wasn’t the only person to move last summer. In fact, statistics show that existing home sales traditionally increase during the spring and summer months.
With so many houses on the market in the warmer months, it’s harder to get a good offer when selling your home. If you’re relocating soon, here are some tips to help you get top dollar when selling your home.
1. Clean and Declutter
There’ll be far less interest in your home if it is dirty, messy, and cluttered. Therefore, one of the first things you should do when selling your home is to clean it up.
Inside
Eliminate paper piles and put away items that have been left out. Clean all of the rooms of your home including light fixtures, windows, baseboards, and other areas that are usually neglected.
Clear out items you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale or sell them online to make money on your decluttering and cleaning.
Outside
Put away bicycles, toys, and any other things that have taken up residence in your yard. Throw out trash or anything broken and pick up hoses and yard tools.
Keep the yard mowed and weed free. Sweep the walks and trim bushes and trees. These simple acts will help you get top dollar when selling your home.
2. Make Your Entrance Inviting
One of the first things people see when entering your home is the front porch. It makes sense, then, to make your entrance inviting.
Give your front door a fresh coat of paint or consider replacing it if paint alone won’t fix it. Add some flowers, paint the mailbox, and put up house numbers. Add an inexpensive flea market bench and a new welcome mat. Making these small changes can have a big impact when selling your home.
3. Paint the Interior
Paint is a great, inexpensive investment that should pay off and help you get top dollar for your home. Of course, you’ll have to put in time and sweat equity as well. But, fresh paint in neutral colors will really help you sell your home and get what you want out of it.
4. Do Repairs
Are there areas of your home that you’ve been putting off repairing? Now is the time to get them done.
Buy some new washers and fix your leaky faucets. Add weather stripping where it’s needed and replace ripped window and door screens.
5. Take Pets Elsewhere
When you own pets it may be harder to get top dollar for your home. Consequently, removing them temporarily will help you get more money when selling your home.
Let pets stay with a close friend or relative. If nobody will take them, consider boarding them temporarily. Don’t forget to put food and bowls where they won’t be seen as well.
6. Invite a Friend to Critique Your Home
Invite a friend over to critique your home as if they were interested in buying it. Have them take notes based on what they see. When they’re done, check their notes to see what could be improved in your home.
Taking the time to do this could help you fix something you never noticed before and get top dollar when selling your home.
Capping it Off
No matter what time of year it is, at least a few home improvements are usually needed before putting your home on the market. Taking the time to do them is important if you want to get the most money you can when selling your home.
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