9 Ways to Prepare Your Atlanta Real Estate For Sale

If you're ready to list your home, it's important to think about what you can do to ensure that you set yourself up for success. There are plenty of things you can do to attract potential buyers and receive impressive offers, so your home sells quickly and at the right price point. You'll need to weigh your options and choose the things that make sense in terms of time and effort and which ones are most likely to help you sell your home quickly. Here are nine of the best ways to prepare your Atlanta real estate for sale.

As homeowners, we collect memories and form an emotional attachment to the places we live, and when it comes time to sell, many people have a hard time letting go. In order to sell your home successfully, it's important to detach yourself from the property so you can see it objectively. That means you'll need to look at the home from a potential buyer's viewpoint.

Consider the eat-in kitchen from a stranger's viewpoint, or think about how a new owner might want to utilize the finished basement. This can help tremendously when it comes time to stage your home.

If you have trouble disassociating yourself from your home, ask a trusted friend or family member to describe what they see. This fresh perspective can help you view the home in a way that makes it easier to see what work needs to be done to make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Most likely, your home has minor work that needs to be done, especially if you've lived there for a while. Go through the home and make a list of all needed repairs, so you can determine which ones are worth your time and money. If you're unsure, ask your InTown Collective realtor which repairs are worth the expense.

Some common issues include:

Although these issues are small, they can be a major distraction during a viewing. You may not even notice your home's minor imperfections, but a potential buyer will, and they'll wonder whether there are more problems beneath the surface. Taking care of minor issues will show potential buyers that you care about your home and that you've kept up with its maintenance.

Some repairs, on the other hand, maybe too expensive to be worth it. Certain remodel jobs can increase the value of your home tremendously, but that's not always the case. Do your research before spending a lot of money to prep your home to sell.

Before taking photos of your home, it's important to declutter. Make it a goal to remove around 50% of your belongings, so your home looks spacious and clean. Remove all unnecessary and mismatched furniture and donate unwanted items to charity. Pack away all your other belongings and store them offsite. This also makes it easier when it's time to move since half of your things will already be packed.

Walk through your home and tackle one room at a time. Remove knickknacks, photos, and other objects that just take up space, and prepare to live with the bare minimum until your home sells. If you're having trouble organizing your space, hire a professional organizer. They're experts at using space efficiently and making it look put together and clean.

While decluttering, don't neglect inside closet cabinets and drawers. No space is off-limits when potential buyers walk through your home, and many are curious to see what the storage space is like. It costs nothing to organize your spice rack, stack your dishes, and line up your canned goods in the pantry. Take time to line up your shoes and hang your clothes neatly in the closets. Organized closets and cabinets show potential buyers that you take pride in your home, and it will communicate to them that you've taken good care of the property. A disorganized space may communicate that you're untrustworthy, and it can lead to a buyer being hesitant about making an offer on your home.

While you're decluttering, take time to depersonalize your home.  View your space from a potential buyer's perspective and remove any items that aren't neutral. This includes:

Your goal should be to make your home as neutral as possible so potential buyers can easily picture themselves and their belongings in your space. Bold items and family pictures can easily distract potential buyers during a viewing, making it difficult for them to see the home as their own.

New paint is one of the easiest and most effective ways to freshen up a home. Select neutral hues that highlight the room's unique architectural designs and pick light tones that make the room look spacious and clean. If you painted in the last few years, you could touch up scratches and scuff marks to make the room look clean.

Avoid bright or bold colors that can distract potential buyers. Your goal should be to provide a fresh, blank canvas that makes it easy for someone to picture themself and their belongings inside.

Staging is one of the best ways to ensure that your house sells quickly. In fact, the National Association of Realtors reported that staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than those that aren't staged. Staging doesn't have to be difficult, and you don't need to spend a lot of money to get the right look. Create a focal point in each room that helps potential buyers to see the space's potential. For example, place a vase of flowers on a bedside table or a bowl of oranges in the center of the kitchen table. Drape a lovely blanket across an armchair or set up a coffee mug and notebook at the barista table in the kitchen nook.

Be careful not to overdo it, but careful staging can make your home look inviting, and potential buyers will be able to picture themselves utilizing every space. If you have trouble staging your home, ask your realtor for help. They're experts at setting a home up to sell it successfully.

Once you've perfected the interior of your home, it's time to focus on its curb appeal. Your home's exterior will provide potential buyers with a first impression, and to get them in the door, you'll need to provide a good one. Take time to clean up your home's exterior by pressure washing the siding and sidewalks. Mow the grass and make sure the hedges and shrubs are trimmed perfectly. Buy fresh mulch and plant lovely flowers in pots by the front door to make the home look inviting. If it's wintertime, consider decorating with outdoor lights, and hang a seasonal wreath on the front door.

If your house number is weathered or difficult to see, consider replacing it. They're inexpensive and easy to install, and they will really update the look of the front of your home.

Once the house is decluttered and staged perfectly, it's important to make sure that every square inch of space is perfectly clean. Potential buyers will notice a dirty home, and they'll be far less likely to entertain the idea of making an offer. Vacuum the floors and dust all surfaces to make sure they're completely clean. Wash the windows and mirrors and wax hardwood floors to make them sparkle and shine.

Take time to focus on the kitchen and bathrooms, so they're perfectly clean and smell fresh. Polish the fixtures, recaulk as needed, and thoroughly clean your toilets and stove. It's also important to clean the inside of your fridge. Many potential buyers will check inside during a viewing, especially in homes where the appliances are a part of the sale.

Many homeowners enlist the help of a professional cleaning service. At around $200, you can have your home professionally cleaned, so it's perfectly spotless and ready to be shown. Potential buyers will appreciate a clean space, and you'll convey the message that you care about your space.

When you've lived in a home for a long time, it's easy to overlook any imperfections. Try to view your home through the eyes of a potential buyer and ask friends, family, and a trusted realtor to give you a fresh perspective. If you'd like to learn more about our InTown Atlanta real estate agents, contact us today. Our real estate experts will be happy to help you every step of the way so you can sell your home for the highest price, and if you're interested in purchasing a new home, we'll help you find the perfect one.