Tools & Resources

Are you getting ready to sell your home and want to maximize your home’s value and attract the attention of buyers? There are a few things you can do to get your home ready to sell in 7 easy steps.

1. Talk to the professionals

The first step is to find a real estate agent who knows your market.  Your agent should provide you with their professional opinion about comparable properties, what your home may be worth, and advise you on setting the right asking price. 

To find the right real estate agent for you, family and friends are a great source for referrals. You will want to ask your potential agent, how long they’ve worked in your market, a list of recent sales they’ve closed, and a list of past clients. You can reach out to these referrals and ask how responsive the agent was and if they were satisfied with their performance.

You'll also want to reach out to your current mortgage company with questions related to your current mortgage, home sale, and your next home purchase. It's a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage on your next home before you start looking, and your lender will be able to help you with all the details.

Get a PHH Pre-Approval or learn more about the Pre-Approval process

2. Research your local real estate market

It's probably been a few years since you bought your current home, and your local real estate market has most likely changed. You'll want to find out what prices are for similar homes for sale in your area and gauge current market conditions.

Local real estate listings are a good place to start. You can search online websites for listings in your area that are like your home in terms of square footage, number of rooms, and upgrades. You can find out how much they are listed for, how long they’ve been on the market, and the purchase prices of recently sold properties.

3. Get a home inspection

A home inspection isn’t free, but an inspector’s report can identify any problem areas before putting your home up for sale. You have an opportunity to fix problems before listing your home and eliminate potential issues with the buyer finding them. An inspector will tour your home and property looking at the condition of the foundation, age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical system, and the HVAC system.

4. Pack away personal items

A house is a home, with family photos on the walls, kids' art projects on the fridge, as well as many other personal touches. When you sell your home, potential buyers will try to picture themselves living in the space as they walk through. It's easier to help your buyers imagine this is their home by stowing away your personal effects. Depersonalization makes a big difference. If you find you're running out of room for storage, consider a short-term storage rental for personal effects and bulky seasonal items you don't want to take up closet space.

5. Deep clean your house

Before you put your house on the market, give it a deep and thorough cleaning. In addition to your regular cleaning routine, dust, vacuum behind and under furniture, wipe down baseboards, deep clean carpets, and dust light fixtures. Kitchens and bathrooms should be sparkling clean. You may also want to re-caulk sinks, showers, and tubs, and think about pressure-washing the exterior and sidewalks. Don't forget the windows – clean them inside and out.

You might even consider hiring professional help to get your home in the best shape possible.

6. Refresh with new paint

How long has it been since you painted? It may be a good idea to refresh your walls with a new coat of paint particularly if your home has a bright or personalized color palette. Buyers tend to prefer light, neutral colors, which help them picture living in your home.

Paint is relatively affordable, and you can do the work yourself. The payoff is the opportunity to make your house look new, vibrant, and clean.  It creates a great first impression for potential buyers who tour your home.

7. Curb appeal

Curb appeal projects can be quick and inexpensive compared to bigger projects like kitchen and bath remodels. Start with cleaning up your front lawn, trimming trees or shrubs, cleaning out gutters, and touching up paint. You can even go a step further by adding new landscaping. For your biggest return on investment, purchase a new front door, or new garage doors, or consider residing your house. If you're not sure where to focus, look at online listings with photos or ask your real estate agent.

No matter what your local market situation is, there are steps you can take to maximize the value of your home. First impressions matter to potential buyers, so think about increasing your house’s curb appeal. It could get you a quicker offer, help you sell your home for more money, and help your home stand out in a competitive market.

If you are interested in getting a new home loan or looking to get a cash-out refinance, call one of our knowledgeable loan officers at (855) 233-9749 or get started online.

This is for informational purposes only. This is not intended as legal or financial advice.

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