Are you preparing to sell your home? Then you should take a look and some of these helpful tips to make sure the process is successful.

Selling a home. It can be emotional, it can be sentimental, and at times, it can be unpredictable.

But, the good news for sellers is that it can take just 11 days to find a suitable buyer for your home. Most are probably wondering how to sell your home that quickly?

These are some tips for preparing to sell your home.

1. Note Walkability

This is especially important if you are trying to sell your home in a major city. Walkability is very important to a lot of buyers, as it can make it easier for people to get to their jobs, schools, or general conveniences like a grocery store.

Statistics show that in major cities, properties that have high walkability increase by .9% in home value for every walk score point it has.

An average walk score point is worth $3,250. So, if you have an elite walk score (90 or above), then your home value can increase by $292,500.

In other words, if your property scores high in this category, and if there are enough conveniences that you can walk to, absolutely note this and show potential buyers in-person where they can walk to.

2. First Impression

Most first impressions are made by what we see. Some impressions are made in under 10 seconds, so it is important to stand out quickly.

In this case, the first impression is what you see on the outside of the home walking into it. Factors that can make or break this include the condition of the lawn, if there are any plants in front of the house, what color the house is painted, if that paint is fresh, decorative pieces on the front lawn, and more.

You need to make sure that your house has curb appeal, and that people will want to see what you have to offer on the inside.

3. Spaciousness

One way to sell your house faster is to make it spacious. This makes it easier for potential buyers to walk through your house, but also allows buyers to imagine what they can do with the space for themselves.

It keeps possibilities open while showing the best of what your house has to offer. Some ways to create more space are to rearrange your furniture and get rid of clutter such as toys and clothes on the floor.

4. Keep It Clean

Let’s face it, no one wants to live in a dirty house. Even if it is not their home yet, a buyer does not want to have the image in their mind of what a place is like when it is dirty.

With this in mind, you need to clean your house and keep it that way before showing it to buyers. This includes washing all of your dishes, getting rid of hair that may be stuck in your bathroom, and dusting every piece of furniture in your house.

If you want to show the bedrooms, then you need to make the beds and use bedsheets. Finally, staying clean will involved keeping your items organized, and getting rid of any fingerprints or cup stains leftover on more sensitive material.

5. Market Research

Do some research on how much houses in the nearby area are selling for. Factors here will be the size of the house, what condition it is in, location, and more.

Real estate agents can perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for free so that you to get more detail. Sometimes, they will do this in order to be able to sell your home, so keep this in mind.

However, this information can greatly help you determine an accurate price point to expect to be able to sell your house for.

6. Lower List Price

One way you can sell your house quickly is by lowering your list price than the average market value. If you list it say, 10% lower than what you think your house is worth, then you could get offers on it very quickly with fewer conditions such as a house inspection.

This may be risky for some that are trying to get maximum value for their home. However, you may attract more buyers doing it this way, and regardless, you will definitely be able to sell it in a timely matter.

7. Repairs

You do not have to go crazy here, but you should at least do some basic repairs before showing your home to buyers. This includes things such as little holes in the wall, fixing a door, roof repairs, and more.

For more major repairs such as a water pipeline, it will be up to you to determine if putting in the upfront cost and time into fixing it will be worth it.

Most buyers want to acquire a house that is ready to be moved into, so having as many repairs done as possible will not only draw in a higher price for your home but attract more buyers.

8. Renovate Your Kitchen

A kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house to get right. Prospective buyers will be looking at it, as it is a room most families spend multiple parts of their day in.

Having an outdated kitchen can cost you five figures on your asking price. Investing a few thousand dollars into a modern kitchen can result in getting a much better offer on your home.

9. Highlight Special Features

Know the strengths of your home. If it is walkability, then name every business, school, and convenience store that you can walk to.

If it is your garden, then make it a big part of your tour and have guests look at it. If it is the number of bathrooms you have, show buyers this.

Regardless, make the highlights of your home the main part of a tour.

10. Home Inspection

This is not always an option sellers like to take, but it can save time. Sure, you have to pay out of pocket for this, but a home inspection lets you know what potential problems you have with selling a house in advance.

This can be things like your roof, water, electric power lines, and more. If a buyer brings these up later with their own home inspector, then you may lose an offer AND you will have to do this anyway later.

Think about doing this in advance to get ahead of it.

Start Preparing to Sell Your Home

Preparing to sell your home is a big step in your life. If you follow these tips, this step can become a lot smoother for you.

If you need help selling your home in the Toronto area, contact us today to find out how to get started.