Despite recent modest hikes, interest rates remain low. And inventory of existing homes is at historic lows. This is especially true in warmer climates, such as Southern California, where the spring selling-season starts early. For prospective sellers, this means that if you are planning to sell your San Gabriel Valley area home this year, now is the time to pull the trigger. While your real estate agent prepares advertising and schedules home tours, you should focus on making sure your house is ready to sell. This blog discusses the steps you should take before you list your home.
What to Do Before You List Your Home
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Clean
An easy, inexpensive and highly effective way to improve the appearance of your house is to clean it up. Invest in a few simple tools, like a vacuum, steam cleaner, broom, mop and some Magic Erasers. Then, be prepared to do whatever it takes to make your house sparkle and shine. If you’re short on time, hire a maid service, which can make quick work of the cleanup.
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Clear the Clutter
Homeowners often display personal photographs and fail to abandon their strong sense of personal style while showcasing their homes. This is a mistake. Experts recommend neutralizing homes to attract a wide range of prospects. If the aesthetic of your home is modern farmhouse (a la Chip & Joanna Gaines, for example), clear everything that communicates that décor. This will broaden your prospects because your personal style won’t scare away buyers who prefers a more minimalistic approach. Home buyers often lack imagination. So, don’t challenge them to try to envision living in the home without your family photos on display. -
Make Repairs
Demonstrate how well you have taken care of the home by focusing on small fixes before the first open house. Relatively minor repairs like replacing torn screens and faded house numbers will make all the difference. If damage is more severe, such as a leaky roof or badly worn carpet, discuss steps with your realtor, who will be able to advise you about how to get the most bang for your home-repair buck.
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Organize
Although you probably don’t reorganize closets before hosting a dinner party, you should do so when you list your house. The reason? House hunters are nosey…not about your clothes and personal effects but about available storage space. If your closets are messy, buyers will attribute clutter to the fact the house doesn’t have enough room for their clothes, even if closets are generous.
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Up the Ante on Curb Appeal
First impressions count. Make sure your home not only shows well, but also looks great online and on film, since listings rely heavily on pics. Look at your place with fresh eyes, since people tend to automatically eliminate clutter when they see something familiar. If you can’t be objective, rely on family and friends to point out potential eyesores. But don’t let yourself get swallowed by minutia. Investing in your house’s exterior will bring more house hunters to your front door. So, consider replacing or touching up tired landscaping, roofing, gutters, siding, front door and paint. And, put out the welcome mat (literally)! -
Hire the Right Real Estate Agent
Work with a real estate agent who knows the area, so he can price your home competitively. At SoCal Platinum Properties, we love helping clients list and sell their homes. Call today for your no-obligation consultation.
About SoCal Platinum Properties, Inc.
Real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in or around San Dimas, California and the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. We list properties and advertise them to guarantee a swift sale for maximum profit. We also assist home buyers as they hunt for, make competitive offers, and purchase residential property. Realize your dream of homeownership, reduce your house payments to free up funds for whatever purpose you see fit. We offer the following refinance options: We offer the following Refinancing Programs: FHA Streamline, FHA Cash Out, FHA 203k, VA Streamline, VA Cash Out, Conventional, Commercial and Jumbo loans. Lock in your low rate today (213) 709-5178.