5 Tips Before Listing Your Home

by Brooks Reynolds on October 4, 2023

Our agency understands that selling your home is a big decision and we are committed to helping you make the right one. With our expertise and experience in the real estate market, we can provide you with valuable insights and guidance throughout the entire process. We will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and goals and tailor our services accordingly to ensure a successful sale.

“Homes that are updated and “move-in ready”  have more appeal to buyers who might not have connections in the community to find the help they need to renovate a space. Finding a new home that is updated and clean just eases the transition, and there is value in that,” says Shannon Eaton, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at The Reynolds Group of Lake Placid.

Although everyone’s house is different and everyone’s project list will be unique, our experience has shown that focusing on these 5 things will have the biggest impact on the price and time on the market when selling your home.

1. Organize Before listing your home, be sure to thoroughly go through every room and space in the house and declutter as you go. Not only will decluttering make your home appear larger, but it will also help make the eventual moving process go more smoothly. Additionally, try to depersonalize your home as you declutter, removing family photos, etc., this will help potential buyers imagine themselves living there. 
2. Repairs We encourage all potential home sellers to hire a handyman before they put their home on the market. Together, you can walk through every room of the house and identify potential repairs or small improvements that can be made; from touching up paint on walls and replacing hardware to fixing your light fixtures or repairing drywall. Many homebuyers will conduct their own home inspection before closing on the house, and often, if there are things that need to be fixed, the buyer may ask for concessions or reduce their offer to offset the costs of fixing these things themselves. Need a trusty handyman to assist with these repairs? We have a Rolodex of contractors on hand that we are happy to recommend.
3. Chimney Inspection Have your chimney inspected – The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents be inspected at least once per year. Proper cleaning and inspection ensure that your chimney is clear and that there are no damages or issues that need repair. 
4. Structural Inspection Get a structural inspection done in case there is something unseen so you can get it fixed ahead of time, therefore not slowing down the closing process. Structural issues can wreak havoc on your home. Before getting ready to sell your home, especially if it is an older home or might have issues that appear to be structural, it is advisable to get a structural inspection done.
5. Curb Appeal Improving a home’s curb appeal will add value to your property and help it sell faster. The great news is that curb appeal can be easily improved with some relatively minor adjustments. For example, take good care of your grass, landscaping, and trees. In addition, you should look at your property’s physical condition namely the roof, siding, exterior, front door, and porch. A dirty exterior is not something that should be ignored. Whether it means power washing a deck, painting the exterior, or taking on roof repairs, it is guaranteed to pay off in the long run.

Our experienced agents can help guide you and make recommendations on what will matter most when preparing your home for sale, often saving you valuable time and money in the process. We are happy to walk through and take a look with you even if you are not sure if you are quite ready to put your house on the market – better to get a list that you can start now.

Give us a call today to schedule a walk-through with one of our experienced agents. 518-418-7747