Preparing Your House to Sell, With Help

You might already have been told that if you want to sell your house quickly and for the maximum amount of money, you can’t simply bring potential buyers in tomorrow and expect one of them to fall in love with it exactly the way it looks. Selling a house often means making it to look striking, glamorous and just a little bit like somebody’s dream home, rather than looking lived in. But preparing your house means more than just picking up your dirty laundry (of course, picking up your dirty laundry is a good place to start). There are a few different types of professionals you might want to consult to get your house in shape:

Home Inspectors: One of the first things you’ll want to take care of is any major repairs that need to be done. Before getting started, you might want to get a professional home inspection, the same way that prospective buyers are likely to. They’ll help you to find less obvious problems that might turn away buyers.

Builders: You may be able to do some, or even most, of the repairs yourself. However, the bigger jobs you will likely want to leave to the professionals. Remember that you’re making these repairs for the buyer, not yourself, so this is not a time to skimp. Hiring someone just for a short time can help you knock out that to-do list.

Electricians/plumbers: Older homes in particular are likely to need work in these areas. Since these are not only more difficult than other types of repairs, but also potentially more dangerous, you shouldn’t try them without at least getting professional advice.

Cleaners: A messy house can distract buyers and turn them away. You’ll want to start by clearing out as much clutter as you can, which will help make the house look bigger as well as more attractive. This may include renting a storage unit. Even once it’s been cleared out, a dirty home can distract and turn away buyers, so you’ll want to make sure every corner has been well scrubbed. Hiring a cleaning service can help ensure that you don’t miss anything.

Designers/Stagers: An interior designer or stylist, or even a professional home stager, can give you advice on how best to arrange your furniture and which colours are best to use for your walls and décor (how neutral is too neutral?) On the outside, your yard should also be attractive. You may want to think about using a landscaper or gardener to help get it into shape if there’s extensive work to be done. This is also a step that you’ll want to start as well ahead of time as possible, in order for any new plants to grow in.

Photographers: As part of marketing and your house, you may want to have a photographer take the pictures to go along with your listing. They’ll be able to find the best angles to show off rooms, as well as the best lighting. 

If you are looking for local people that offer these services in your area, ask a question here and get recommendations by agents and locals who live there. 

All of these options do cost money, but it’s worth the investment. Having your house in the best shape possible makes it more likely that you’ll be able to get a good selling price earlier in the process, and can ensure that the buyers stay happy once they’ve moved in. 

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