What to Look for When Preparing to Sell Your Home

When the time comes to move, your thoughts might be dominated by what you should look for in your next home. What neighborhood will you live in? How many bedrooms and bathrooms will it have? How much can you afford? One huge part of the process you need to also concentrate on is what to look for when preparing to sell your current home.

Plan on Two Home Inspections

Getting a home inspection to help value the home is a standard part of the home-selling process. Two inspections are even better. The first can help you identify what your home needs, and the second one can be the clean bill of health you show buyers as a selling point. Buyers are responsible for getting an inspection done to purchase the house, and any issues will be part of the negotiated purchase. When your home is pre-inspected, your listing agent can use that as a marketing tool especially when you repair anything up front. In some states, agents and sellers frown on an up-front inspection as anything you discover will have to be disclosed as part of the sale.

Make Necessary Repairs

Whatever damage or necessary upgrades your home inspector determines as professional suggestions are things you need to do. Break them down into categories so you can have the appropriate professionals handle each kind of work. Your home inspector might have referrals to make, or they might handle some things on their own. You might also need to contact professionals on your own. For instance, you might want to call a place like 1-800-BUSY-DOG for water-related damage and other repairs.

Consult a Realtor

A local real estate professional who deals with both buying and selling homes knows what local buyers are looking for in their next home. They can help you see your home in a new light and identify specific upgrades that might offer you a good return on the money you invest into them. You make more money with a higher home value. Work with a Realtor who has a professional Home Stager on their team as part of their standard services to list and sell a home. First impressions matter and Staged properties sell for MORE than their non-staged competition. Don’t leave money on the table.

Do Renovations

Based on what your property agent tells you, come up with a list of potential renovations to make to your home on top of the necessary repairs already in progress. In fact, you might want to wait on the repairs until you also know what upgrades you will do. Determine your budget, and then allocate it to things that local buyers are looking for in their next home.

Once all these steps are done, get a second home inspection. This one should have a better report and one you’re proud to show potential buyers. Think about staging your home for an open house, get professional photos done, and list the home. If the housing market in your area is very competitive, think about underpricing the home by $10,000. You should get enough offers to wind up with a bidding war that takes you way past market value anyway.


Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700