House Preparation Checklist for Homeowners

Trying to sell your home can be a daunting task. There are so many things that you need to do in order to get it ready for potential buyers. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 

In this blog post, we will provide you with a house preparation checklist that will help make the process a little bit easier. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to sell your home in no time!

Things to do Before Selling a House

There is a lot of work that goes into selling a house, but where do you begin? Below are some of the things to do before selling a house to help get you one step ahead.

Declutter

One of the first things you need to do is declutter your home. This means getting rid of any personal belongings or items that may be cluttered around the house. You want potential buyers to be able to see the space and imagine themselves living there, so it’s important to make sure that it is clean and decluttered. 

The last thing you want is for your home to look cluttered and messy. So you’ll want to get rid of any unnecessary items that are taking up space and make your home feel smaller than it is. You can do this by packing away excess furniture, organizing your closets, and getting rid of anything you don’t need.

Deep Clean

Once you have decluttered your home, the next step is to give it a deep clean. This means cleaning all of the nooks and crannies that you may have missed during your regular cleaning routine. Be sure to dust, vacuum, and clean all surfaces in order to make your home sparkle!

Fix Damage & Make Repairs

Start by making a list of all the things around the house that need to be fixed or repaired. This could include anything from holes in the walls to fixing a leaky faucet. Once you have a list, start going through each item to determine what you can fix on your own and what requires professional help. 

This step can be time consuming and get expensive depending on the extent of  the damage, but it is important to do in order to get top dollar for your home. If there are any damages or repairs that need to be made, now is the time to take care of them. Failing to fix a leaky roof or broken window could end up costing you more money in the long run.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders when selling a house. It can help cover up any damage or wear and tear on the walls, and it will give your home a fresh, new look. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for a house that’s being put on the market. 

Painting the walls and trim will make your home look clean and well-maintained. When choosing a paint color, be sure to go with something neutral that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Stage

Staging your home is one of the most important steps in selling a house. This means making sure that each room is set up in a way that will appeal to potential buyers. For example, if you have a lot of furniture in your living room, you may want to consider removing some pieces to make the space seem bigger. Or, if your bedroom is currently being used as an office, you may want to put a bed back in to show buyers that it can be used as a bedroom. Staging your home can be a bit of work, but it will be worth it in the end!

Decide on a Selling Strategy

You’ve decluttered, deep cleaned, fixed damage and made repairs, painted, and staged your home. Now it’s time to decide on a selling strategy. Are you going to sell your home yourself or hire a real estate agent? 

If you’re thinking about selling your home yourself, be sure to do your research first. There is a lot of paperwork and legwork involved in selling a house by owner, so you want to be sure that you’re up for the task. 

Hiring a real estate agent is another option if you’re not interested in dealing with the hassle of selling your home yourself. They will handle all of the paperwork and marketing for you, and they will be there to answer any questions you have along the way. Downside real estate agent commissions are typically around 6% of the final sale price, so you will have to factor that into your budget. 

A final option to consider, selling a house for cash fast. Working with one of the cash home buyers in Wisconsin like Cream City Home Buyers, could help you sell your home as-is in just a few weeks. This is a great option if you’re looking to sell your house fast and don’t want to deal with any of the repairs, realtor commissions or staging yourself.

No matter what selling strategy you choose, be sure to do your research and weigh all of your options before making a decision. Selling a house is a big undertaking, but with a little preparation, it can be a smooth and stress-free process.

House Selling Checklist

When you’re getting ready to sell your house, it’s important to make sure that everything is in order. A little preparation can go a long way in making the sale process run smoothly and helping you get the best price for your home.

So whether you’re just starting to think about selling your house or are already in the midst of the process, be sure to read through this checklist!

For Homeowners:

– Make a list of repairs needed around the house

– Fix any damage or wear and tear

– Paint the walls and trim

– Stage your home

– Decide on a selling strategy: real estate agent, cash buyer, or For Sale by Owner

– Do your research

– Weigh all of your options

– Choose the right time to sell

– Get your house in tip-top shape

– Learn ways to determine house value

-Set a realistic asking price

– Prepare for showings and open houses

– Negotiate with buyers

– Accept an offer and sign the contract

– Close on the sale of your home

Selling your house doesn’t have to be a stressful process! By following this checklist, you can be sure that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Checklist

Before you list your property make sure you follow this checklist to get your house ready to sell. 

  • Declutter and organize
  • Repair anything that’s broken
  • Clean every surface
  • Fix any holes in the walls or ceilings 
  • Paint walls, ceilings, and trim a neutral color
  • Replace old light fixtures with updated fixtures
  • Shampoo carpets and steam clean furniture
  • Remove all personal items from the house 
  • Stage the house to make it look inviting

As you prepare your house for sale, use this checklist to make sure you don’t overlook any important details. By taking care of these items, you’ll be able to sell your house faster and for a higher price.

Start by decluttering and organizing every room in your house. This includes closets, cabinets, and storage areas. Donate or sell anything you don’t need or use anymore.

Next, repair anything that’s broken. This could be a loose doorknob, a cracked tile, or a leaky faucet. Fixing these small items will give buyers the impression that your house is well-maintained.

Then, clean every surface in your house. This means dusting, sweeping, and mopping all floors; cleaning windows; and wiping down counters, appliances, and fixtures. Don’t forget to clean light fixtures, ceiling fans, and baseboards.

After that, paint walls, ceilings, and trim a neutral color. This will help your house look clean and updated.

Then, replace old light fixtures with updated fixtures. This is a quick and easy way to make your house look more modern.

Finally, shampoo carpets and steam clean furniture. This will remove any dirt or stains and make your house look and smell fresh.

Once you’ve completed all of these items, your house will be ready to sell! Buyers will be impressed with how well-maintained and updated your home is, and you’ll be one step closer to closing on a sale.

Repairs to Make Before Selling a House

A young homeowner repainting her house

When you’re getting ready to sell your house, there are a few repairs you should make before putting it on the market.  These repairs will help ensure that your house looks its best and will help buyers feel confident in their purchase. 

Here is a list of the most important repairs to make before selling your house.

Gutters and downspouts: Clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure that they are free of debris.  This will help to prevent water damage to your house and will also make it look more attractive to buyers.

Cracks in the foundation: Fill any cracks in the foundation of your house before listing it for sale. This will help to prevent water damage and will also give buyers peace of mind knowing that the foundation is in good condition.

Peeling paint: If your house has peeling paint, consider repainting it before listing it for sale.  A fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in the appearance of your home and will help it to sell more quickly.

Leaky roof: If your roof is leaking, you will need to repair it before selling your house.  A leaky roof can cause water damage and will also make your house less attractive to buyers.

Windows: Clean your windows and replace any that are cracked or broken. This will help your house to look its best and will also make it more energy-efficient, which is a selling point for many buyers.

Are Home Repairs Necessary?

Making these repairs before listing your house for sale will help to ensure that it sells quickly and for the best possible price.

Depending on what repairs need to be made to your home, you may want to consider hiring a professional to help you. Hiring a professional will ensure that the repairs are made correctly and will also save you time and effort.

Unfortunately, when it comes to home repairs, most homeowners don’t have the extra money on hand to make repairs, or they don’t want to put any more cash into a house they’re trying to sell.

If you’re in this situation, there are a few options available to you. You can try to negotiate with the buyer and come up with a repair allowance, you can make the repairs yourself or try to sell the house as-is.

Making repairs before selling your home is necessary, but sometimes it’s not possible. If you need a lot of repairs or don’t have the extra time or money to make fixes, you should consider working with a home buyer if you need to sell a house fast in Hartland, Milwaukee, Fox Point, or Shorewood.

Final Takeaways

Now that we’ve covered the basics of preparing your home for sale, it’s time to get started on the checklist. Review each item and make a plan to complete as many tasks as possible before you list your home. Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to getting top dollar for your property. How much work can you realistically do in the next few weeks? And don’t forget to enlist help from family and friends – they can be a big asset when it comes time to prep your house for sale!

If you’d prefer to avoid the hassle you can sell your home to a company that buys houses for cash. These “We Buy Houses Milwaukee” companies will buy your home as-is, so you won’t have to worry about making any repairs or improvements. And in most cases, you can close on the sale in just a few weeks.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following this checklist and taking things one step at a time, you can be confident that you’re doing everything you can to prepare your home for sale.

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