6-Point Checklist to Follow Before Listing Your Home

What can you do in today’s climate to make sure you still make top dollar for your home? In this article, you’ll learn a step-by-step process that you can follow to help your home stand out on the market for homes for sale in West Vancouver. When you’re done reading, you’ll feel more confident about your chances to make a strong profit regardless of what the market is doing.

It’s highly likely that an inspector will come to look at your home at some point before closing day. Most buyers will schedule an inspection during the first week or so after they agree to a deal to purchase the home. Your deal can fall apart if the inspector has any significant concerns about your home’s foundation or construction. Nobody wants to be surprised by the information that comes up during a home inspection, and you can avoid this situation by scheduling your own inspection ahead of time.
 
If there’s anything wrong with your house, you’ll still have time to fix it before putting it on the market. Even if you choose not to make the repairs yourself, you can at least disclose them on the home listing so that buyers understand what their responsibility will be.

You want to price your home in a sweet spot where it will sell quickly for the highest possible price. As you think about where to price your home, a good place to begin is to ask your realtor to run a CMA, or comparative market analysis, on your home. This will give you a better idea of what homes in your area have sold for in recent months. Once you have an idea of where you might price your home, you can look at other homes listed for similar prices in your area. Look for what amenities or features are highlighted in the home listing, and think about how your home compares to each house you see. It’s possible that you begin to notice certain trends or patterns, and you can use this information to ensure that your home isn’t going to enter the market at a competitive disadvantage. You don’t want your home to be the only property on the market in a given price range that doesn’t have updated kitchen appliances or designated outdoor living spaces.

Not all renovations or additions will have an equal ROI. If you’re thinking about making any changes or additions to your home before you sell, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking on the right projects that will help you recoup most (if not all) of what you spent. Minor kitchen and bathroom renovations will usually return around 90% of the cost of what you paid. Another popular addition to consider is anything that makes your home more energy-efficient. It could be a new garage door or new windows that help your home better retain heat during the colder months, or it could be a smart thermostat that costs less to operate and adjusts automatically based on the temperature outside.

Effective marketing will help you engage with more potential buyers. Don’t neglect the tried-and-true methods like putting a “for sale” sign in your front yard. While it may seem outdated, it’s a great way to get your neighbors talking. They may even share the information with their family and friends with an invitation for them to come and be their new neighbors. You’ll also want to prepare your home’s online listing. Consider hiring a professional photographer to take the pictures for your online listing. These pictures will help show off your home in the best way possible, which can lead to more clicks and engagements. If you want to go a step further, you can film a short video inside your home to include with your listing. This can be a teaser for an upcoming open house or a full-on video tour that takes potential buyers through each room and space in your home.

The in-person experience is incredibly important. It’s what will motivate a potential buyer to make an official offer on your home. Take time to prepare your home to ensure buyers like what they see when visiting your home in person. Start by cutting the grass in your yard and pulling any weeds from your flower bed. Sanitize each room in your home and put away any unnecessary clutter. Take down personal mementos and family pictures. You don’t want anyone feeling like they are invading your space. You want them to imagine what it would feel like if the home was theirs. Set the dining room table or the island in the kitchen with plates, napkins, and silverware. This will give the buyer an idea of what it could feel like to enjoy a meal or host guests in the space. You can even leave out a bowl of fresh fruit or a potted plant for an added natural touch.

Amir Miri is an expert when it comes to marketing homes for sale in West Vancouver. Because of his extensive experience in the local market, he knows what it takes to sell a home in the area. He works hard to understand his clients’ needs and make their goals his top priority. He uses his expert negotiation skills in each transaction to make sure his clients walk away with the best possible deal. Reach out to Amir and his team when you’re ready to take the next step toward selling your home.