Putting your home for sale is a big step and can be a lot of work. You need to ensure the home is sale-ready and will appeal to the majority of buyers so they will give you the right money for it. There are a number of things you should do before listing your home. Here are 50 of them:
1. Remove a large portion of your belongings so the space is open and uncluttered
2. Remove all personal items that may deter buyers
3. Set up the furniture so the home has a good flow
4. Organize your storage areas
5. Organize your closets
6. Clean out the garage (yes, buyers look here too!)
7. Make any repairs, even the ones you think won’t be a big deal to buyers
8. Ensure all areas of your home have function and purpose
9. Check for mould and have it remedied
10. If your home has a smell (from smoking or pets), find a way to get rid of it
11. Fix any holes in the walls
12. Give a fresh coat of paint to the main areas
13. Wash your window coverings
14. Wash your windows
15. Clean the screens and repair any rips
16. Power wash the exterior of your home, including the driveway and walkways
17. Scrub your baseboards and trim
18. Wipe down all fixtures and knobs
19. Paint your front door
21. Clean your appliances inside and out
22. Wipe out the inside of all your cupboards
23. Pull all of the weeds
24. Add some landscaping that buyers will love
25. Ensure your home systems are in good working order and if not, get them fixed or replaced
26. Replace your mats and carpets if they are old
27. Remove everything but functional items from the counter
28. Replace your bedding and add pillows
29. Add furniture to your backyard to make it an inviting space
30. Replace any burned-out lightbulbs
31. Add some greenery to the home
32. Turn the master bathroom into a spa-like atmosphere
33. Find a place for your pets to go while your home is listed
34. Lock up or take out valuable items from the home
35. Go to open houses of homes for sale in the area to get an idea of the competition
36. Hire a stager or find ideas online for staging your home
37. Stage your home
38. Research real estate professionals
39. Get a home evaluation
40. Get all of the paperwork together for the home
41. Decide what you want in a real estate professional and interview a few
42. Look at comparables of homes that have sold in the area to determine a good list price
43. Strategize with your agent about what you need to do to sell your Markham home
44. Listen to your agent about what other improvements can be made to your Markham home before you list
45. Make an extra set of keys for the lockbox
46. Get professional photos and videos done
47. Create a binder with all of the relevant photos and documents your buyers might want to see (bills, warranties, renovation receipts, guide to the neighbourhood)
48. Get an inspection done to show buyers you are serious about selling and give them peace of mind
49. Have a plan about where you’ll go once the showings start happening
50. Once the listing is available, share it as much as possible
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