Before any prospective buyer sets foot in your home, they’re going to see photos of it. And once it’s on the market, there will be questions about changes you’ve made, or the last service date of the furnace, or when the septic was last pumped.
So it’s important for the home to photograph beautifully and for all the appropriate documentation to be in place prior to listing day. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Even simple repairs around the house can go a long way towards showing off your home, and also to avoid dealing with them later during the inspection period.
We get used to the quirks of our own homes, so put yourself in the shoes of a stranger. Start at the front door and pretend this is your first time walking through the house. Open all the drawers in the kitchen and notice any squeaky doors throughout the home. Check the basement for moisture or evidence of rodents. Keep an eye out for burned-out lightbulbs or windows that stick.
A few specific items to check:
Not sure how to get started? We’ve got your back! Check out our team’s list of great local professionals who can get minor and major repairs done right.
Photo day is typically 2-4 days ahead of listing day, and by that appointment the exterior should look as fresh and crisp as possible. This could include:
Start the moving process early by going through your belongings and removing those items you know you won’t be taking with you. Often, high-reward areas for clearing clutter are laundry and hall closets, junk drawers, and that random pile in the garage you’ve been meaning to donate for months (it’s okay, we’ve all been there).
Next, it’s time to pack up some of those special keepsakes that will definitely be moving with you, but that you don’t need every day, like photo albums, family photos, collectibles and tchotchkes, and books you’re not actively reading.
It’s also wise to remove all religious and political accents or paraphernalia (at least for the photo & video day) - while these items are important to us personally, it is important for prospective buyers to view the home as a neutral slate upon which to imagine their own way of living.
Now it’s time to clean (you knew this was coming!). Having a fresh, shiny home makes a big difference for the photo & video process. We can recommend a phenomenal cleaning company if you’d like some help with this!
When you’re ready to sell your home, you’ll get a little bit of homework. Sellers in Washington State are required to fill out a multi-page Seller Disclosure Form that notifies the buyer of any known issues with major home systems, property lot lines, and more. You can get it out of the way early - contact us for a copy!
Have any permit records, septic inspection reports or other home maintenance and improvement records? You’ll want to pull out that file so we can note down the dates work was completed, and make a copy if necessary for the listing.
One of the most critical parts of selling your home is setting an appropriate price for your specific niche market - and understanding your closing costs to ensure the net proceeds fit your needs. Contact us for a custom home valuation from our real estate team based right here in Bellingham Washington!
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