But that doesn’t mean you can’t be productive and start preparing your home so you’ll be all set to put out that “For Sale” sign when you're ready.
 
Remember that you have control over what you can do in the meantime to have a distinct advantage to attract buyers who will want your home. And don’t forget, you can also use this time to plan and prepare to buy and move into your next home too!
 
Let’s go over some important steps that you can be taking now or well before you plan to list. That way you can ensure more smooth process once you’re ready to sell.
 
Keep your stress levels down with some self-care and doable preparation. Once we have a workable plan, you should feel less stress but the entire process can be overwhelming for families to sell and buy. Don’t overdo it as you map out the weeks or months ahead, and we’ll come up with a schedule that works for you and your family. You want to stay calm and be confident, especially if you will be looking for a new home too.
 
Stay on budget or know your potential return on investment. You may have to spend money to earn money but not all home improvements are worth it. So be careful and don’t overdo it. I can help you on this since I know what is worth it for your particular neighborhood or your potential buyers. 
 
Prepare your property and fix what’s broken. Make a list of all the nagging items that bother you and fix them. Looking at your home with fresh and unbiased eyes right now can help. You’ll see where it needs a fresh coat of paint or discover that loose step you’ve lived with way too long. I can give you guidance on what you should spend money on if you’re uncertain. 
 
Make your home shine -- clean like you never did before! As you get closer to listing your home, tackle those necessary cleaning jobs or find a professional service. Focus on areas of your home that could use a good scrubbing. You could focus on windows one week, then polishing wood floors or cleaning rugs another week. Turn to YouTube for any guidance in cleaning or prep if you’re not sure. Here’s your chance to get ahead of the, so it will really shine when you want to list it.
 
Appeal to a buyer’s emotions. Not only do you need to appeal to a buyer’s mind and wallet, but you also need to make their heart skip a beat. How do you do that? The answer depends on your particular home and your most likely buyer. You want buyers to envision themselves living in your home so think about how your rooms are used and how they can be set up to create these positive emotions. 
 
Become More Tech-Savvy
 
Understand how promoting your home with technology works. Now more than ever, homes will be promoted more virtually as needed. The good news is that buyers are more accepting of this process – even virtual showings. They’re already tapped into technology and do their own electronic searches, receive seller disclosure forms, order home inspections, etc.
 
Understand the market.
 
Go with the flow of the market. Knowing how the real estate market works throughout the year will keep your expectations realistic and also help you understand why different marketing approaches will need to be used depending on the time of year.
 
Study sold prices, not just the asking prices in your particular neighborhood. The true market is based on what buyers are willing to pay when you list your home. Basically, buyers will only pay what they deem your house is worth in current market conditions. Remember that the market evolves and we’ll adapt and make sure to price your home accordingly.
 
Remember that all real estate is local. The particular street or block you live on can be a strong influence on how it appeals to buyers and how to price your home, especially in the year ahead. I’ll keep abreast on your particular neighborhood, of what is selling and what isn’t, and even who is buying and why. That’s why you should reach out to me sooner than later, so we can make smart and strategic decisions together.
 
As you can see, selling your home is a “project” that takes work and planning. But it can be done and it will be so worth it once you’re in your new home. I am here to help you so you can start planning today for your future move… whatever your timeframe!
 
Even if you are months or even a year away from selling, prepping your home can start right now. Reach out anytime by emailing me and we can talk through what projects you need to plan out and what you can skip so your home looks as good as possible when it comes time to sell, but without going overboard.