Downsizing and selling a home can be a monumental undertaking, and it’s completely normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed throughout the process.
Selling your home involves several important decisions, including determining its value, listing it for sale, and receiving the best price. In addition, you’ll need to prepare your home, pack your belongings, and move to your new location.
In this guide, we’ll share 10 expert tips for successfully selling your home as you prepare to downsize. You’ll learn how to declutter, hire the right professionals, attract the best buyers, and more!
1. Research Your Local Market
Information is power, and understanding your local market and knowing your home’s value is essential to selling your home quickly and maximizing your profit. You should have a realistic view of your home compared to others in your market, as well as knowledge about whether you’re in a buyer's or seller’s market. A quick Zillow search will give you an estimate of the value of your home in your area.
2. Hire a Real Estate Agent
The real estate market can be complex. Hiring an experienced real estate agent can save you time and reduce stress. An agent will evaluate your home, price it to sell quickly, identify any repairs or improvements that may increase your selling price, and ensure your home gets the maximum exposure to potential buyers. Real estate agents can also set up home inspections and recommend professionals such as home stagers, cleaners, and general contractors. Before hiring an agent, ask friends, family, and neighbors for referrals, and interview several agents to make an informed choice.
3. Don’t Forget Curb Appeal
Potential buyers will definitely judge a book by its cover. The outside of your home is the first thing buyers see, and you want to make a good first impression.
Before putting your home on the market:
- Trim overgrown trees and shrubs
- Cut and treat your lawn
- Remove weeds or dead plants
- Pressure wash siding, walkways, and driveways
- Plant brightly colored flowers
- Apply a fresh coat of paint
4. Declutter
One of the first steps to selling and downsizing is getting rid of unnecessary and unwanted items. This is a perfect opportunity to start fresh with a clean, clutter-free, and organized living space. Go room by room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. Only take items that hold sentimental value or that you genuinely love to your new place.
5. Hire Professional Cleaners
A clean and well-maintained home makes a positive first impression. Before listing your home, consider hiring professionals for a deep cleaning. Professional cleaning services can thoroughly clean and deodorize your entire house, both before you put it on the market and while it’s being shown to potential buyers.
6. Repaint With Neutral Tones
A fresh coat of paint in neutral colors is an easy way to upgrade, refresh, and transform your home. Although you may love the accent wall in your favorite shade of pink, chances are, potential buyers will not. Incorporating neutral tones helps buyers envision their belongings in your home. They also allow key features such as hardwood floors, crown molding, or floor-to-ceiling windows to stand out.
7. Make Strategic Upgrades
It may seem counterintuitive to put money into a home you’re trying to sell, but certain upgrades can significantly increase its value. If your kitchen or bathrooms are outdated, remodeling them can be a worthwhile investment.
8. Depersonalize Your Home
Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home. Remove personal items, such as family photos, bold artwork, and customized décor that may distract potential buyers.
9. Take Professional Photos
In today’s real estate market, the first-time buyers and agents may see your home is online. You want your house to shine, and if your listing photos don’t highlight the best features of your home, online buyers may not be interested in touring your home. A professional photographer will take a variety of high-quality photographs of your home.
10. Stage Your Home
Preparing your home to sell can be overwhelming, but a professional home stager can make the process easier and more effective. From minor redecorating and strategic furniture placement to a full-scale transformation, stagers know how to showcase your home in its best light to appeal to potential buyers.
Live Life Simply & Beautifully
Selling your home as you prepare to downsize is a significant undertaking. With careful planning, the right resources, and support, you can turn this stressful situation into an exciting journey toward your future.
Download the ABCs to Downsizing for helpful downsizing strategies, tips for decluttering without stress, and a handy moving and packing checklist.
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