Thinking of selling your home? Do these things first.

The average seller spends at least six months preparing to sell their home before putting it on the market. The best thing to do is to reach out to a professional that will help you put together a plan of action, giving you enough time to amplify your home's potential and help you to avoid stress.

Not sure where to start? Don't worry we've got you covered. If it seems overwhelming we will take care of all of this for you!

6-8 Months Before Listing

Choose An Ideal Listing Date

Sometimes you may be motivated to sell your home within a certain amount of time. Considering possible listing dates will help guide the rest of your plans. Whether you are in a rush or have time to spare, it is worthwhile to consider when you will be ready to hand your house over to new owners. Aim for a timeline that works for your schedule and keep the best listing dates in mind.

Identify Repairs & Create A Plan

Tackling more extensive repairs before selling a home can be somewhat overwhelming, so a clear plan will help you outline when repairs can take place and how much they may cost. Compass Concierge is an excellent option for home improvements. Repairs are completed quickly by high-quality professionals, and you can even avoid upfront costs.

Estimate Home Value

Study the sales price of other homes in your neighborhood and how those homes compare to your own. Your realtor can also run comparables or "comps" on similar homes in your area. This data can help you better understand your home's worth.

If you completed any updates on your home, be sure to note them and estimate how they may impact the overall value. If your timeline is more flexible, consider the best selling windows for your property based on the local real estate market

2 Months Before Listing

Find A Great Agent

Selling your home is a big deal, and you must find a reliable and trustworthy agent. A great agent can assist you with all aspects of the selling process. They should understand your goals and keep your best interests in mind. Find someone that is comfortable and easy to work with.

Tackle Small Cosmetic Repairs

Address any minor repair or cosmetic issues in your home that you may have been ignoring. Go through your home and make sure everything is working correctly. If needed, update light fixtures and replace burnt-out lightbulbs. Repair things like broken fixtures, cracked flooring, and nicks in the drywall. These minor fixes will improve your home's appearance and make a huge difference in the eyes of a buyer.

Ask For Input

Review desirable features of your home with both your real estate agent and your friends and family. What are your home's most significant selling points? What sorts of things would buyers notice first? After living in your home for a long time, some outside perspective may help you consider impactful features that you have long since forgotten!

1 Month Before Listing

Gather Important Documents

Pull together appliance manuals, warranty information, and service records. If you also have any permits for renovation work or land surveys, these are valuable records to have on hand. Buyers may also be curious about utility costs and tax bills, so have them ready to share.

If paying a mortgage, obtain an estimated mortgage payoff amount from your bank. These documents should include information on your remaining loan balance, interest, and any outstanding escrow payments. The better organized you are with your home's essential documents, the faster you will likely sell!

Organize & Donate

Everyone is curious about a home's storage space, so make sure buyers see the complete picture. Storage spaces and closets should appear spacious and neatly organized. Showing that you take good care of your personal items will positively impact potential buyers, as it reflects how well you took care of the home. To boost your home's available storage, consider donating unwanted items or renting a storage space to remove clutter.

Add A Fresh Coat Of Paint

Adding a fresh coat of paint can make your home attractive to new buyers. Stick with a neutral color palette that won't distract from your home's unique interior. Painting a few weeks before you plan to list your home means that your walls will still be freshly painted and clean for showings.

Create Curb Appeal

The exterior of your home is the first thing that potential buyers see, so make sure to touch up your home's outer appearance. This includes regular lawn and exterior maintenance like power washing, gutter cleaning, and grass and weed trimming. Landscaping like fresh mulch, new flowerbeds, or plants and shrubs can also help your home make a great first impression.

Want to really grab their attention? Add a fun pop of color by painting your front door. You can also enhance your home's entrance by adding decorative or architectural house numbers, new planters, a welcome mat, or fun seasonal decor.

2 Weeks Before Listing

Deep Clean

Consider hiring a professional cleaning service through Compass Concierge to scrub your home from top to bottom. A deep clean may include carpet cleaning, window washing, and exterior power washing. Your home should be fresh and free of odors. To keep things sparkling, dust and vacuum frequently. Right before a showing, remove the trash, wipe down surfaces, and spruce up the bathrooms.

Remove Personal Items

Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home, so remove any items that may distract them from seeing themselves in the space. Put away family photographs, heirlooms, and any items that feel unique to you. A clean, impersonal environment will help buyers to see your home as their own.

Create A Plan For Showings

Think through what you need to do to prepare you and your family for upcoming showings. How much notice does your agent need to provide? Do you need to board pets or seek out childcare? Do you have any personal items or valuables that need to be secured or stored away? Having a plan in place for home showings give you time to make sure the house is empty, clean, and inviting.

Stage Your Home

Staging your home can elevate your listing's potential. A properly staged home can help buyers envision functionality and use of space. Staged homes make for dynamic interior photographs, which will help attract buyers to your listing.

Make sure to take advantage of natural light and supplement dimly lit areas with ample lighting. Furniture should be well suited for each room; too big, and a space may appear small, but too small and the room feel empty. Need help staging your home? Staging is yet another fantastic service provided through Compass Concierge.

Getting your house ready to sell? Download our free checklist to keep yourself on track!