There are several important home selling prep steps homeowners should do. Your property should attract buyers with eye-catching listing photos and an interest-piquing description. Your house must also be in showable condition. Make no mistake about it, selling a home is a time-consuming process that requires a lot of commitment. But, with an experienced real estate professional and a few helpful pointers, you’ll be able to make good decisions.

6 Important Home Selling Prep Steps Homeowners should Do

Long before you even get to the point of dealing with a buyer and having to avoid counterproductive seller negotiation tactics, you’ll need to do some serious preparation. Now, some of these tasks only take a few moments, while others are more substantial. Selling a property means completing a laundry list of line items. You’ll probably be surprised by how much needs to be done before you even list your home for sale.

“Ready to sell your home? Don’t just list it without any advance preparation. A few minor touch-ups can go a long way towards making a favorable impression on potential buyers — and perhaps cinching a deal. Top recommendations include getting rid of clutter, hiding family photos, cleaning out closets, removing excess or oversized furniture, and cleaning.” —Forbes

For example, it’s very smart to conduct a pre-listing home inspection. Although buyers are typically the party who orders a home inspection, this is a great way to get in-the-know, up-front. This way, you won’t be shocked by any unpleasant surprises. Also, it shows potential buyers you are serious and have nothing to hide. Additionally, it’s a savvy way to comply with the Florida home seller disclosure laws. So, here are the six most important home selling prep steps homeowners should do:

• Google your own address. Nearly 90 percent of home buyers begin their house hunts on the internet. Sellers should do this too, prior to listing their homes for sale. Google your address and see what pops up under each section: All, Maps, News, and Images. You just might be surprised with what you’ll find and what potential buyers might also see.
• List improvements and problems. All major repairs and improvements you’ve made on the property should be put into a list. This way, buyers know you’ve not only maintained the home but also, have made key upgrades. And, if you know of any minor issues, list those as well or have them fixed.
• Use social media to your advantage. Once you have the home ready to show and uploaded great images to the listing, you’ll need to go a step further and market it on social media. Upload a video tour to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms to gain maximum exposure. A floor plan is also a nice touch.
• Pay attention to all of the little details. You remember how you disabled the doorbell right after you moved in and have since let it stay silent? Or, that door that’s difficult to close and swings open freely? Whatever little details are familiar to you should be addressed. If you don’t buyers will surely notice and these will cause objections.
• Deep clean, disinfect, and depersonalize. If there’s anything you absolutely cannot avoid it’s deep cleaning, disinfecting, and depersonalizing the entire property. Clean every nook-and-cranny, every square inch, and all corners. Also, be sure to declutter, emptying closets and cabinets to about 30 percent full. And, put all personal items well out-of-sight.
• Clarify what’s sold along with the property. Take time to list what’s being sold with the home and what you’re taking along with you. After all, you don’t want a buyer to fall in love with an amenity, decor, or furniture only to learn it’s not sold along with the property.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in Orlando, contact us for the latest market information. We’ll also provide you with the right advice about the local real estate market so you make the best decisions.