If you know that you have to move soon, the best thing you can do is involve your REALTOR as early in the process as possible. Any home that is going to be competing in the overstocked spring market should be preparing now (while there's still snow on the ground).
- Get the minor interior fix ups out of the way now so you can use any of those unseasonably warm weekends on the exterior of your home.
- Pack like you're moving! (Because if you list with me, YOU ARE MOVING!) Buyers hate clutter; start packing all your non essential property and organize it neatly in the garage or basement, or best of all, put it in a storage unit.
- Eliminate at least one piece of furniture from every room. "BIG," "BRIGHT," and "OPEN," is what buyers want to see.
- A can of paint will go a long way. Don't gut your whole kitchen (you might not get that value back in some areas of this market). Paint, new carpet, replacing a counter top, a new light fixture; these are some more economical ways to improve your bottom line. Ask your local real estate expert which improvements will be best for you.
As a REALTOR, we spend 60+ hours a week working with our local housing market. WE know what buyers in your neighborhood expect (because we're working with them), we know what improvements your competition has (because we've been through them all).
Involve your real estate professional as early in the process as you can (we're not on vacation). It will pay off!
