How to prepare a house for sale - a complete guide

Selling a house is no small task. From assessing property conditions to listing your home on multiple listing services, there’s certainly a lot to consider. Once you’ve decided it’s time to part ways with the property, it can take some time to get a house ready to sell. 

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In this article, we’ll discuss how to prepare your home for sale so you can have a successful and seamless journey. Take a look at our comprehensive guide below.

What to know before selling your home

Before diving into how to prepare your house for sale, it's important to note the need to develop a home sale plan.

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Selling a home costs money. To prepare your house for a successful sale, you should first take stock of your finances. A firm grasp of your monthly income streams, savings accounts, and outstanding debts will help you prioritize your expenses over the next few months.

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Although the average home takes 55-70 days to sell, there's always the possibility that your house will stay on the market for longer. Whether your home sale takes less than a month or more than three, you want to ensure you can stay afloat during that time.

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Understanding your finances will also help you determine how much you can allocate toward home sale fees, such as agent commissions, closing costs, and staging expenses.

How to get your house ready to sell

Connect with a realtor

One of the first considerations in preparing your house for sale is whether or not to work with a realtor. A knowledgeable real estate agent can offer valuable insights into the local housing market, provide advice on pthe listing price, and guide you through the selling process. 

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Look for a realtor with a proven track record in your area, as they will have a deep understanding of local buyer preferences and current market trends.

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Take your time interviewing real estate agents before selecting one, and make sure you feel confident in their ability to represent your best interests.

Identify and tackle necessary repairs

Your home's condition will inevitably impact your property's value, making repairs a vital part of preparing a house for sale. Employing the help of an appraiser or professional home inspector will help you accurately assess your home's condition and any required repairs.

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Critical home repairs related to the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC system can be major red flags for prospective buyers. Not to mention, the longer these repairs are delayed, the more expensive it will be to fix them in the future. It's best to get ahead of important home repairs to minimize property damage and maximize your asking price.

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Small visible imperfections can also negatively sway your ability to sell at top dollar. Homebuyers are naturally attracted to properties that display excellent upkeep. When a home exhibits neglect or deferred maintenance, buyers are more likely to view the property as a burden. Even just a leaky faucet can leave a bad impression.

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Consider enlisting the help of a professional realtor who can help you prioritize the less pressing issues. 

Declutter and deep clean

Home sellers should do their best to avoid presenting their homes with crowded closets, cramped furniture, or piles of clutter on countertops. Deep cleaning your home is a great way to get started. You can remove non-essential home items, such as excess furniture or winter clothes, and rent a storage unit to create a clutter-free home. 

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If you’re still living in your home while tours are happening, you can’t get rid of everything. However, you can declutter and reorganize your furniture, clothes, shoes, and other home items.

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Depending on which season you decide to sell your home, it may be worth hiring professional cleaners. They can tackle less obvious or time-consuming tasks like cleaning air vents, A/C filters, and gutters. 

Rejuvenate your home’s walls

Once you’ve removed personal items from your home, like family photos and paintings, you may notice stains, cracks, or discoloration along your home’s walls. In many cases applying a fresh coat of paint will do the trick and instantly rejuvenate your home.

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Neutral colors are widely preferred by new homeowners and will reflect well against natural lighting.

Focus on first impressions

Homeowners don’t always have to spend a lot of money updating their homes. In some cases, focusing on curb appeal—the attractiveness of your home from street view—can be enough to merit a buyer’s attention.

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One key aspect of a home’s curb appeal is its landscaping. Small tasks such as mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, or repainting your home’s exterior can quickly and cost-effectively enhance your home’s curb appeal.

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Additional areas of consideration are entreeways, the front door, fencing, driveways, and walking paths. Be sure to repair any major or budget-friendly cracks or damage. Finally, ensure the outdoor area has good lighting. 

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 If you want the most bang for your buck, consider the following projects:

• Laying out three cubic yards of bark mulch ($275)
• Cutting the grass, fertilizing the lawn, or killing weeds ($340)
• Installing a new garage door ($1,200)
• Paint your home’s exterior ($3,000)
• Create a new walkway, flower bed, and shrubs ($4,500)

Consider high-ROI upgrades

Preparing a home for sale will require more time and money if you want a significant return on investment (ROI). You may have to explore high-ROI home upgrades.

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The renovations you take on are ultimately up to you, but real estate agents agree that there are two types of rooms that sell houses: kitchens and bathrooms. When in doubt about which home upgrade will benefit you the most as a seller, prioritize bathroom and kitchen reforms. Be sure not to overspend on renovations that won't yield fair returns.

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Home improvements with high ROI include:

• Minor bathroom renovation: One of the most lucrative home improvement projects you can take on is a minor bathroom renovation. Replacing a bathroom vanity, installing new light fixtures, or switching from a regular shower head to a rain shower all classify as minor bathroom renovations.
• Major bathroom renovation: If you’d like to take the renovations mentioned above to the next level, you can choose to replace all aspects of the bathroom. 
• Minor kitchen renovation: Replacing outdated appliances with energy-efficient options is one way you can execute a minor kitchen remodel. You can also consider applying a fresh coat of paint or glass to existing cabinets instead of replacing them. This combined with new hardware can go a long way. 
• Major kitchen renovation: If you want to revamp the entire kitchen, it’s worth considering an open-concept design. Removing a wall can immediately create more space. Kitchens with ample room for hosting and cooking are highly sought after by buyers. However, major kitchen renovations do cost a considerable sum.

Stage 

When discussing how to prepare your house for sale, we can’t ignore the importance of staging your home. Although it’s an additional and upfront expense, staging can make your home stand out and help potential buyers imagine themselves living within the home. 

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Furniture placement and room layout are important aspects. You can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Whichever option you choose, focus on open-concept designs that place furniture up against the walls and maximize the space. The more ample the space, the better. 

Improve marketability

Knowing how to ready your house for sale is a significant part of the journey—but so is showcasing your hard work.

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Whether you work with a listing agent or not, you can market your property successfully by:

• Providing stunning property photos: Taking high-quality images on your smartphone or hiring a professional with a high-resolution camera will instantly elevate your home’s online presence. 
• Highlighting your home’s best features: Work with your realtor to showcase the unique features of your home, whether it's a spacious backyard, updated kitchen, or a prime location. Consider using professional photography or virtual tours to help your home stand out online and attract more potential buyers.
• Having a flexible schedule for showings: Allowing open houses to happen when you’re unavailable. This will help you arrive at your closing date much faster.
• Reviewing your home's online presence: Checking to see if the photos of your home on Google Maps reflect any recent updates you've made. If not, highlight these updates in your property listing descriptions on MLS and other sites.

Get your documents in order 

Gather essential paperwork like mortgage information, property deeds, and tax records. If you've made significant renovations or improvements to the home, be sure to have receipts and permits on hand, as potential buyers may request these documents during negotiations.

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 Having a copy of your homeowner's insurance policy, utility bills, and any warranties for appliances or major systems in the home is also helpful. 

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Getting your documents in order early streamlines the selling process and helps build trust with potential buyers. 

Frequently asked questions

How much should you spend to get your house ready to sell?

Overall, expect to spend roughly 7-10% of your home’s sale price on selling-related expenses. The cost of selling a house can vary, but typical expenses include realtor commissions, closing costs, and potential repairs or staging fees. Closing costs can range from 1-3% of the home’s price and may include title insurance, attorney fees, and transfer taxes. Additionally, if you invest in repairs or staging to improve your home’s appeal, those costs can add up. 

What is the best time to sell a house?

The best time to sell a house is typically in the spring and early summer when buyer activity is at its highest. Warmer weather and longer days encourage more homebuyers to attend open houses, and families with children often prefer to move during the summer break. However, this can vary depending on your local market. In some areas, fall may also be a strong selling season. While the market tends to slow down in winter, selling during this time can be advantageous if there’s less competition from other homes.

How do I prepare my house for sale while living in it?

Preparing your house for sale while living in it requires balancing your daily life with keeping your home show-ready. Start by decluttering and packing away any non-essential items to make your space feel more open and organized. Create a routine for quick cleaning, focusing on high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. Keep personal items like laundry, mail, and dishes out of sight, and store valuables securely. Consider staging certain rooms to enhance their appeal, and be prepared to leave the house temporarily for showings. 

Final thoughts

Home sales with poor planning and execution can quickly become a headache — and even cost you a good chunk of your return on investment. Devising a plan and patiently ticking off items on your home sale checklist can help ensure a smooth process and that everything significant is addressed.

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If covering selling costs is one of the most challenging aspects of the journey, consider using your built-up home equity to ease the burden.

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Point's HEI allows homeowners to access a lump sum of funds in exchange for a portion of their home's future appreciation. You can buy back your equity anytime during a 30-year period by selling or refinancing the house. There are no monthly payments or restrictions on how the funds can be used. There are no income requirements or need for great credit to qualify.