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How to Prepare to Sell My House

If you have made the choice to sell your home, you’re probably thinking about how to prepare, so as to get the most money out of the sale. A realtor can help you find out just how much money your home is currently worth and also can help you sell your home faster by advertising it to thousands of other agents and their buyers around the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). In the meantime there are a few activities which you could take to prepare to sell your house successfully.

Ask your real estate agent (if you are using one) to prepare a seller’s net sheet so that you know how much profit you can expect to make. As a vendor, you’ll most likely have to pay broker fees, escrow fees, transfer fees and other costs. Though these fees can really add up, it helps to see them relative to the listing price. This gives you an idea about what you could manage to pay for repairs and home upgrades prior to marketing and listing the house.

Store any big, bulky items which can get in the way when potential buyers see your home. If your bigger items can’t fit in the cupboard you might want to consider renting a storage unit. Be sure to store any political things like signs, which might offend prospective customers. Storing personal family photographs and replacing them with impartial things like images of the sea or flowers can also make the house appear more appealing.

Spend some time as you have never cleaned before cleaning the house. Dust, vacuum and mop before the house looks as it did when you bought it, or better. If you don’t have the time, consider hiring a professional cleaning service only once, before your house goes on the market.

Look at making improvements to the house, if they possess the potential to enhance the selling price. The fiscal website Bankate states that improvements to kitchens and bathrooms typically bring the highest return on investment. The National Association of Realtors recommends repainting the house or at least a few important rooms, in the event the present paint is two years or older. Including a new layer of paint makes the home look cleaner and brighter. If the first colours are dull, such as grays and browns, try adding more brightness with colours such as a deep red or gentle blue on a couple walls. Just make sure that any color changes suit the remainder of the house so far as the carpeting, floors and present furniture.

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