7 Big Things Sellers Sometimes Forget to Do Before Listing a Home

Selling a home involves many steps, and it’s easy to overlook some important tasks in the process. Addressing these tasks before listing your home can help you avoid delays, attract more buyers, and achieve a successful sale. This comprehensive guide covers seven big things sellers sometimes forget to do before listing a home.

7 Big Things Sellers Sometimes Forget to Do Before Listing a Home

Preparing your home for sale involves more than just cleaning and staging. This guide explains the following often-forgotten tasks:

Getting a pre-listing inspection
Gathering important documents
Addressing necessary repairs
Enhancing curb appeal
Decluttering and depersonalizing
Checking for safety hazards
Planning for pets during showings

Here’s a closer look at each.

Getting a Pre-Listing Inspection

One important step that sellers often overlook is getting a pre-listing inspection. A pre-listing inspection involves hiring a professional home inspector to evaluate your property before you put it on the market. This inspection can identify any potential issues that might arise during the buyer’s inspection, giving you the opportunity to address them beforehand.

By fixing problems ahead of time, you can prevent surprises that could derail the sale or lead to price negotiations. Additionally, having a pre-listing inspection report available for potential buyers can build trust and demonstrate that your home is well-maintained.

Related: DC Ranch real estate advice

Gathering Important Documents

Sellers often forget to gather all the important documents related to their home. Having these documents ready can streamline the selling process and provide valuable information to potential buyers. Some of the key documents to collect include:

The original sales contract
Property tax records
Mortgage information
Recent utility bills
Warranty information for appliances and systems
Records of any home improvements or renovations

Having these documents organized and available can help answer buyer questions and expedite the closing process.

Addressing Necessary Repairs

Addressing necessary repairs before listing your home is crucial to making a good impression on potential buyers. Sellers often overlook small repairs, thinking they won’t matter, but even minor issues can raise concerns for buyers. Walk through your home and make a list of any repairs that need to be done, such as fixing leaky faucets, replacing broken tiles, patching holes in walls, and ensuring all light fixtures are working.

Taking care of these repairs shows buyers that your home has been well-maintained and can help prevent them from using these issues as negotiation points.

Enhancing Curb Appeal

First impressions are vital, and enhancing your home’s curb appeal can make a significant difference in attracting buyers. Sellers sometimes forget to focus on the exterior of their home, but this is the first thing potential buyers will see. Simple tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and adding fresh mulch to garden beds can make your home look well-kept and inviting.

Consider adding potted plants or flowers to the front porch, power washing the exterior, and painting the front door to create a welcoming entrance. Enhancing curb appeal sets a positive tone for the rest of the home tour.

Decluttering and Depersonalizing

Decluttering and depersonalizing your home are essential steps in preparing it for sale, yet they are often overlooked. Remove personal items such as family photos, collections, and personal mementos to create a neutral space that allows buyers to envision themselves living in the home.

Decluttering involves getting rid of unnecessary items and organizing the space to make it look clean and spacious. Consider renting a storage unit for items that you don’t need during the selling process. A decluttered and depersonalized home looks more inviting and helps buyers focus on the property’s features rather than your belongings.

Checking for Safety Hazards

Ensuring your home is safe for potential buyers is a step that sellers sometimes forget. Check for any safety hazards that could pose a risk during showings or inspections. This includes securing loose handrails, repairing broken steps, and ensuring that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly.

Make sure that all areas of the home, including the basement and attic, are accessible and free of hazards. Addressing safety concerns can prevent accidents during showings and inspections and demonstrate that your home is well-maintained.

Planning for Pets During Showings

Sellers often forget to plan for pets during showings. While you may love your pets, potential buyers might not feel the same way. Pets can be distracting and may even cause allergies for some buyers. It’s important to have a plan in place to manage your pets during showings.

Consider taking your pets out of the house during showings or arranging for them to stay with a friend or family member. Ensure that any signs of pets, such as pet hair, litter boxes, and pet odors, are minimized to create a clean and welcoming environment for buyers.

FAQ About Preparing a Home for Sale

Check out these commonly asked questions about preparing a home for sale. If you don’t see your question here, please call our office and we’ll find you the answers you need.

Why Is a Pre-Listing Inspection Important?

A pre-listing inspection can identify potential issues before you list your home, giving you the opportunity to address them beforehand. This can prevent surprises during the buyer’s inspection and build trust with potential buyers.

What Documents Should I Gather Before Listing My Home?

Gather important documents such as the original sales contract, property tax records, mortgage information, recent utility bills, warranty information for appliances and systems, and records of any home improvements or renovations.

How Can I Enhance My Home’s Curb Appeal?

Enhance curb appeal by mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, adding fresh mulch to garden beds, and adding potted plants or flowers to the front porch. Power wash the exterior and paint the front door to create a welcoming entrance.

What Should I Do to Declutter and Depersonalize My Home?

Remove personal items such as family photos, collections, and personal mementos. Declutter by getting rid of unnecessary items and organizing the space to make it look clean and spacious. Consider renting a storage unit for items you don’t need during the selling process.

How Should I Manage Pets During Showings?

Plan to take your pets out of the house during showings or arrange for them to stay with a friend or family member. Minimize signs of pets, such as pet hair, litter boxes, and pet odors, to create a clean and welcoming environment for buyers.

By addressing these seven often-forgotten tasks before listing your home, you can ensure a smoother selling process and make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Getting a pre-listing inspection, gathering important documents, addressing necessary repairs, enhancing curb appeal, decluttering and depersonalizing, checking for safety hazards, and planning for pets during showings can help you avoid common seller oversights and achieve a successful sale. Follow this comprehensive guide to prepare your home for the market and make a positive impression on buyers.

Are You Selling a Home in DC Ranch?

Thinking about selling your home in DC Ranch? Call us at 602-694-3200 to find out how we’ll market it to all the right buyers. If you’re also looking for a new home, we’d love show you any listing in the community. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to search for something that’s a perfect match for your needs.

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Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21020 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-694-3200

don@scottsdalerealestate.com