Since reopening after the initial set of lockdowns, the property market in the UK, and in other areas around the world, is enjoying a mini-boom. Sellers who had their plans halted in the spring are now putting their house on the market. It’s not too late to take advantage of this boom. Getting your home ready to put on the market can be done fairly quickly if you have a bit of capital, time, and energy. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to get your home market-ready.
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Before You Put Your House On The Market
Get rid of clutter
One of the first things that any real estate agent will tell you to do when selling your house is to have a huge decluttering session. Not only will this will make your house look better and more marketable, but it will also benefit you when you move. Because you will have fewer things to pack, transport, and unpack at the other end.
Go through your house room by room and get rid of anything that you no longer need or use. If you struggle, try applying the Marie Kondo method. – If something does not bring you joy, or has a useful purpose, get rid of it! Dump it, donate it, or pass it on. But do not be tempted to keep hold of something ‘just in case’. Aside from seasonal items, if you have not used something in six months, you probably do not need it anymore.
Of course, when you do throw things out, do it so responsibly. Anything broken or unusable should be disposed of in an appropriate way. However, try recuperating some cash by putting things on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook marketplace. Or donate to a charity. What is trash to one person is a treasure to another!
[Read: Simplify]
Sort out the small things
Go around your house with a clipboard and pen and really look at the small things that can make a big difference. That tap that has been dripping for months, fix it. The hole in the wall, patch it. That bit of gutter that overflows every time it rains, replace it. All of those jobs that are easy to sort but never seem to get done.
Some people decide to include household appliances in their house sale. This can help set your house apart if buyers have a lot of inventory to choose from, or this series of real estate. If this is something that you intend on doing, give them a really good deep clean and make sure they are in perfect working order. All you need is the replacement parts, a few basic tools, perhaps a YouTube video, and you can sort out most issues yourself.
[Read: Get Organized]
Improve curb appeal
First impressions matter, so make sure that when potential buyers show up to view your property, they are blown away by the outside. Hide the trash cans, mow the lawn, tidy the bushes, and give the front door a fresh coat of paint. All small tasks and these simple improvements can add significant value to your property.
Get your paperwork in order to put your house on the market
One of the things that holds up many house sales is paperwork. Make sure you know what documents and information you will need to be able to complete the sale, and have it all ready and waiting to go.
For more helpful resources, check out the full Family Home collection
