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Things to Do Before Listing Your House

People sell their homes not just for all kinds of reasons, but during all four seasons.

Still, does that really matter to you, the seller? Aren’t there certain ways to go about preparing your home that are constants, knowing that the new owners will be living there year-round?

Of course. And while it’s tough letting go, there are right and wrong ways to go about it. Let’s examine some key pre-selling moves that will always work to your advantage.

 1. Get your paperwork in order. Dig out appliance manuals, warranties, renovation contracts and any service agreements you might have. Then you can provide details and proof of updates and improvements you’ve made to help solidify your asking price.

 2. Have your home inspected. Many homeowners think it’s up to the buyers to have the home inspected but authorizing your own can alert you to repairs or updates that need to be made when you have more time to plan and budget accordingly.

 3. Enhance curb appeal. No matter how beautiful and well maintained your home is on the inside, first impressions are lasting.  Make sure your lawn is freshly cut, shrubbery neatly pruned, toys picked up and put away, and your roof cleaned or repaired.

 4. Anticipate a buyer’s wish list. What will you be looking for in a new house? Most certainly up-to-date mechanicals, walls that are painted in neutral colors, electric wiring up to code, and that’s just for starters. Yes, there’s a fine line between what you should and could do but put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and you’re bound to make better decisions.

 5. Consult a local real estate professional. Ask a licensed agent to walk through your home. He or she will advise you on which features most appeal to buyers, upgrades that won’t deliver a high return on investment, and what the current going rate is for homes like yours in your neighborhood.

A big selling point for any prospective buyer is the current condition of your home heating and cooling systems. Can’t remember the last time they were cleaned and inspected? In that case, the time is now.

Whether you’re selling your home or happy right where you are, contact Messmer Mechanical for our preventive maintenance service. If there are any repair issues, we’ll spot them so you can react accordingly.