Where To Start When Listing Your Home

selling in Ocean County, NJ

Now that you’ve decided to sell your home, it’s time to get it ready. The fact that you only get one chance to make a solid first impression is one of the most important things to remember. Once your home is on the market, the work you spend now preparing it for sale will pay off handsomely. It will be important to understand where to start when listing your home.

Keep the following factors in mind as you prepare your home for sale:

REMOVE YOURSELF FROM YOUR HOME

It’s time to let go of your emotional attachment to your home and approach the sale as a business transaction once you’ve decided to put it on the market. You must change your mindset from selling your “home” to selling a house you happen to own and doing everything you can to make it stand out.

LOCATE A REAL ESTATE AGENT

When you work with a REALTOR®, you’re dealing with a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which has over 1 million members who are bound by a stringent Code of Ethics. Realtors are continuously seeking out educational opportunities, attending conferences, and engaging in local community groups and activities so that they can become more seasoned real estate experts to whom you can turn when purchasing or selling your next home or investment property.

Jasper Mazzuca is a well-known member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). As a result, in addition to his knowledge and relationships with suitable buyers and investors, he can offer you the option of having your property included on a multiple listing service, allowing it to be seen by a much larger number of people.

MAKE SURE YOUR PAPERWORK IS IN ORDER

It’s crucial to not only prepare your home for sale, but also to be prepared for any property-related questions that may arise, as well as to be able to present the necessary documentation that your listing agent, attorney, or potential purchasers may demand.

  • Examine all of your property’s papers to ensure that all of your documentation is complete and accessible, such as the deed/mortgage satisfaction letter/copies of rental agreements, utility bills, tax bills, etc./utility company contact information/etc.
  • Make sure all outstanding town/city permits and building offenses are taken care of.
  • Consult your accountant about any potential tax ramifications from the sale of your home.

ORGANIZE, DE-PERSONALIZE, AND DE-CLUTTER YOUR HOME

Prepare yourself for the hard labor ahead.

  • When it comes to marketing a house, you want to create an environment that allows potential buyers to picture themselves in the space. To prevent confusing potential buyers, remove as many personal items and photographs as possible.
  • Excess furniture and other items that aren’t utilized frequently might make a room feel more spacious. Clearing “chachkis” from bookshelves, tabletops, and china cabinets will also make the room feel more spacious.
  • Excess furniture and other items that aren’t used on a regular basis might make a living space feel more roomy. Clearing “chachkis” from bookshelves, tabletops, and china cabinets will also help the area feel larger. Begin at the front door and work your way around the house, tossing, donating, and packing away stuff to declutter the space. Include the basement, attic, and garage in your calculations.
  • Organize your kitchen cabinets and closets. To maximize closet space, group comparable clothing and shoes together, store items in neat storage boxes, and keep hangers facing the same way. Arrange the contents of kitchen cabinets so that labels face forward, jars/cans/boxes are stacked in rows, and dishware is nicely organized.

GET RID OF YOUR MOVABLE STUFF AND MAKE ROOM FOR BUYERS

Remove any items you intend to bring with you at this time. This includes anything you don’t want to sell with the house, such as window coverings, lighting fixtures, and packed boxes. This will also help with the home’s sale staging.

Remove any heavy drapes or window treatments that make the space feel cramped and dark. Let the light in via all possible windows by opening the slats and drapes. Bright, sunny rooms sell more quickly. After the property is ready for showings, keep the doors to the rooms throughout the house open, with the exception of the restrooms, to allow for unfettered access and traffic flow.

IT SHOULD BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED

As you travel through the house, make a list of everything that needs to be repaired or replaced.

  • A fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in the appearance of a room.
  • Paint the front door, garage door, and any external trim to make the house more inviting.
  • It’s a fantastic idea to replace home numbers with modern, visible, and appealing text.
  • Any burned-out light bulbs, as well as any old/outdated or rusted light fixtures, should be replaced.
  • Replace any broken or outdated appliances, as well as any leaking faucets or fixtures.
  • In bathrooms and kitchens, re-grout and re-caulk the tiles.
  • Fix any broken locks, doors, sliders, screens, or drawers to ensure that everything opens smoothly. A little bit of “WD40” can go a long way.
home repair ocean county real estate

MAKE THE HOUSE GLITTER AND SHINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT

  • Vacuuming and cleaning all carpets, rugs, and window coverings is a must.
  • Dust the furniture and mop the floors.
  • Window washing and cleaning window blinds are both necessary.
  • Make the bed with new kitchen and bath towels, blankets, and bedspreads.
  • To assist ventilate closed rooms, place gently scented air fresheners throughout your home.
  • To potential buyers, clean gas/oil burners and dust-free water tanks in the utility area speak volumes.
  • Replace all of the welcome mats and clear the cobwebs from the front entrance.

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HOME’S CURB APPEAL

  • Make sure the lawn is mowed, the leaves are raked, and the snow is shoveled.
  • Hedges and overgrown bushes should be cut and replaced.
  • Plant flowers in front of your property to make it more inviting to passers-by.
  • Make the front door picture perfect with lovely plants, a bench, and a new mailbox.

GET READY TO STAGE YOUR HOME

You’ve finally made it to the finish line.

  • Arrange the furniture to create clear pathways and spaces that are both roomy and well-defined.
  • Adjust window shades and blinds to ensure that they are level and allow the most amount of light in.
  • Ensure that the toilet lids are closed and that no personal toiletries are visible in the bathrooms.
  • In the foyer and/or kitchen, fresh floral arrangements should be displayed.
  • Take one last look around the house and make any necessary changes while keeping in mind the potential purchasers.
  • Contact your realtor once the house is ready to show to plan a picture shoot of the entire property, both inside and out.

IT’S TIME TO PUT YOUR HOME ON DISPLAY

  • Make arrangements for possible buyers to view the house on a regular basis, including weekdays and weekends.
  • Allow open houses to take place at your home.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of your home both inside and out on a daily basis.
  • Keep flyers presenting the house on the kitchen counter for all potential buyers.
  • It’s best to defer to your Realtor and let the selling agent manage all showings and questions from potential buyers to avoid being “put on the spot” as a seller. Your realtor will go over everything with you in further detail in a private appointment.

Summary: Where To Start When Listing Your Home

Now that you’ve decided to sell your home, it’s time to get it ready. The fact that you only get one chance to make a solid first impression is one of the most important things to remember. Once your home is on the market, the work you spend now preparing it for sale will pay off handsomely.  It will be important to understand where to start when listing your home.

If you have any questions about Where To Start When Listing Your Home contact me today.