Your home is your castle. It's where you feel at peace, where you have memories, and where you've made your mark on the world.
But there comes a time when moving is inevitable: to buy a bigger house, to downsize to something smaller, or to move closer to family or a new job opportunity. Whatever the reason, it can be hard to part with your home, especially if it's been in the family for years.
The good news is that if you're looking to sell your Pleasanton home, there are many steps you can take to make it more appealing and easier to sell. If you're thinking about selling soon, here are some expert tips to help make the process as smooth and profitable as possible.
Do some research
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An excellent way to ensure you sell your home for the best price possible is to do some market research. Your local real estate market can change from year to year, so it's important to know what other houses in your neighborhood have been selling for lately. Of course, your agent is a valuable resource in understanding the local market conditions.
Make a plan
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It’s a great idea to create a checklist before putting your home on the market. This can be as long or as short as it suits you and your goals. You need to know how long it will take for your house to be ready for sale, when all of your appointments will be scheduled, and when you can expect the closing day to arrive. This timeline should include not just inspections and meetings but also moving dates if necessary and other relevant factors, like holidays or school schedules, that could influence the timeline.
Declutter and deep clean
We know decluttering and deep cleaning your Pleasanton home isn't exactly the first thing on your list when you've got a big move ahead of you. But trust us: it's essential to get top dollar for your home. Here are some tips to help get you started:
- Start by making a list of everything that needs to be done, and order the list according to priority.
- Schedule time in your calendar for each task — don't let things get pushed aside!
- Be realistic about what can be accomplished in a day or two (or a week). Set boundaries for yourself, and stick with them.
- Donate or sell items instead of throwing them away. You might have extra things around your house after you've purged them from your closet or garage, but many organizations would love to take these items off your hands! Consider donating them.
Complete a home inspection
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A home inspection can help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road and ensure your home is in top shape before it’s listed on the Pleasanton real estate market. An inspection can help you identify areas where you might need to make repairs and assess the condition of your home's major systems, such as electricity and plumbing. The inspection will also give buyers peace of mind that they're investing in a well-maintained property. In addition, some sellers can use the report as leverage when negotiating with buyers.
Take care of repairs
The number one thing you can do to prepare your home is to take care of any necessary repairs. For instance, if you have a leaky roof or your bathroom sink is cracked, you'll want to make sure those areas are fixed before you put the house on the market. Even if it's something small, it's worth getting taken care of so that potential buyers will see that you’ve kept the property in tip-top shape.
Add value with upgrades
We all know that upgrades add to the value of your home, but did you know that they could also help you sell it faster? That's right: adding upgrades can make your home more desirable to buyers and get people through the door quicker. It's a win-win! You want to make sure the upgrades are "wow" worthy. The best thing about these tips is that you don't have to break the bank to implement them. Just make sure whatever you add is impressive enough for buyers to take notice. This can be as simple as adding crown molding or new counters or as complex as a complete renovation project! If you want buyers to notice when they walk through your doors, you need an upgrade worth talking about.
Don’t forget the exterior
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Curb appeal is the first thing buyers see when they approach your home, and it's the first thing they'll judge. So, set the stage for success with outstanding curb appeal.
Here are some top tips for making your house look like a million bucks:
- Make sure the front lawn is mowed and trimmed regularly.
- If you have a pool or fountain, make sure it's clean and working properly.
- If you have a garage door, keep it clean and maintained.
- Clean out the gutters. This will help prevent water damage later on down the road.
- Trim shrubs to make sure they don't block windows or doors.
- Repaint any faded trim or siding.
- Make sure all windows are clean, including inside and outside frames.
Depersonalize and stage each space
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Home staging is an affordable way to create an inviting space by strategically placing furniture and using every corner of the room. There are many ways sellers can stage their Pleasanton home for sale. Remove any personal items, such as pictures, plagues, awards, and other memorabilia, to create a blank canvas of your home. This will help buyers imagine their own personal touches on the space. Set up furniture in rooms where it belongs (e.g., dining room furniture in the dining room). Make sure all rooms are clean and tidy, with no clutter or debris lying in sight. Set up items around the house that would appeal most to buyers, such as fresh flowers or plants from the garden outside, and perhaps even some artwork on walls or shelves somewhere in view.
Keep things organized
While you're trying to sell your home, it's essential to keep everything as organized as possible. Get all of your belongings into boxes and labeled, and start packing them up. If you have a lot of stuff, consider hiring a professional moving company to come in and pack for you. This is especially helpful if there are many large items, like furniture or appliances, that need to be moved around.
Get advice from an agent
When it comes to preparing your home for success, professional advice from an expert agent is essential. Your real estate agent can help you stage your home, determine which renovations or upgrades will be most worthwhile, and market the property effectively. If you're new to selling a home, they can walk you through the process step by step.
In the end, being prepared is the key to selling your home quickly and for a reasonable price. The more you know about your market, the more you can do to make your home stand out from all the rest.
If you’re interested in selling your home and want to learn more about
Pleasanton real estate,
contact expert Realtor Linda Traurig for top-tier guidance today! Linda is well-versed in Pleasanton, Dublin, and beyond. Let her guide you toward your dreams.
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
