Selling a home in California can be a relatively easy, straightforward process, or it can turn into a seemingly never-ending headache. The difference lies in how you approach the task. Many sellers want to rush the process and get everything over with as soon as possible, but this approach ultimately yields more problems than solutions. Carefully preparing your home for sale will reduce hurdles later on during the closing proceedings.
First of all, deciding to sell your home in the first place is a big decision, and oftentimes a major life event for those involved. With that in mind, you’re going to want to put yourself — and your home — in the best possible position to produce max profits in a quick and efficient manner. The best way to do this is to prepare, prepare, and then prepare some more. While some of the preparation may seem time consuming in the present, it is actually saving you time in the future.
All of this is especially true in many areas within the California housing market due to high asking prices and upkeep costs. While it is certainly still possible to “sell house fast California,” with the help of reputable companies, you can help your realtor or real estate company get the job done right by properly preparing your home for sale. Here are five things you should do before selling your home.
Wash the exterior
A surprising number of homeowners spend so much time worrying about their home’s interior that they completely forget to clean the outside. Take the time to clean your windows and drain your gutters, even if you don’t think they look too bad. This goes for your roof, as well. Unbeknownst to homeowners, roofs can become very dirty, since most of the time large portions are out of sight. Some home sellers opt to put in brand new roofing material, such as Everdrain™, to make their home that much more attractive to potential buyers.
Get your paperwork in order
Before listing your home on the real estate market, make sure you have all of your necessary paperwork in order. You don’t want to be scrambling to find an important document the night before a closing meeting. Everything from utility bills to gas and heating system information should be on hand. As well as a plot plan of your property, property tax information, appliance warranties, and of course, the deed.
Home inspection
A surefire way to identify any potential problems with your house is by being proactive and having a home inspection done. Home inspections are typically ordered by the buyer, not the seller, but taking this extra step is only going to help your home’s attractiveness to potential buyers. Additionally, it is always a good idea to be present while your home is being inspected.
Make sure your home smells good
While this may sound like a small concern in the grand scheme of things, a foul odor or bad smell can scare off an interested buyer in a matter of seconds. Be sure to rid your home of any unwanted or unpleasant smells before making it available for viewing. An extra air freshener or two may make all the difference to some buyers.
Repaint using neutral colors
If your home hasn’t had a fresh coat of paint in a long time, you should consider having your walls repainted before placing it for sale. It is always a safe bet to go with more neutral colors like white, grey, or light blue as opposed to louder colors such as red, yellow, or even green.
If you’ve decided to sell your California home, there are a few important factors to consider. Be sure to keep this checklist in mind before listing your property to help you attract a buyer and secure a good sale price.
