Prepping to Sell During Quarantine

With all of the speculations, rumors, and concerns about Covid-19 and how it is affecting the real estate market in our area, I wanted to speak to this topic. Just like you, we as agents have had to adapt and change how we conduct business. Government and local officials have released a plethora of new recommendations and guidelines. Real Estate is considered an “essential business” and rightfully so. People still need housing for various reasons – relocation, divorce, lease expiration, job loss, job growth, or unfortunately, at any time, the loss of a loved one.  These are just a few of the many situations in which people have housing needs. If you find yourself in a situation and need to sell, fear not. People are still buying.  Our agents at Moore Homes are digital agents and have been for years. We are versed in programs such as Zoom, Facetime, and many other tools. We can use these programs to conduct virtual interviews and utilize electronic signature programs for contracts. You can rest assured knowing we will take all of the necessary precautions to protect you and your family while being sensitive to your needs.  Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.  

Whether you’re ready now or are just considering putting your house on the market when this is all over, now is the best time to get it ready. What better way to pass the hours and be productive than preparing your house for sale? While some checklist items may be obvious, there may be a few to-do list boxes you aren’t sure you need to check.

Start Outside

With warmer temperatures and nice spring weather finally here, take advantage of being outdoors without breaking any local rules. In most cases, you are permitted to enjoy the sunshine on your own property, so now is the best time to spruce up the outside and get some fresh air. If you have a power washer, clean your siding and any sidewalks or driveways attached to your home. Boost your curb appeal by mowing the lawn and touching up any landscaping work.

Make Any Repairs

Take care of whatever repairs you can that don’t require an unnecessary trip to the store. Swap out old lightbulbs, fix that window that keeps jamming shut, and patch up any dents or scrapes on your indoor walls.

Make Your Home Inviting

If you have any paint on hand, give your front door a fresh coat and add a new floor mat (ordered online) to make your home feel approachable. If a potential buyer doesn’t feel welcome approaching your home, they likely won’t want to live in it.  How does that old mailbox look?  Are the address numbers on your home fresh and visible?

Declutter

This is the best time to realize how much you actually use items in your home. If you’ve been stuck indoors for several weeks and you still haven’t used an item, add it to your donate or toss pile. Not only is this great to help prepare for sale, but it will help your mental health while you are stuck inside. Clearing clutter is extremely beneficial for many reasons, and it will make your move that much easier.

Clean & Organize

After you’ve decluttered, it is time to clean and organize. When someone tours your home, they want to feel like it can be theirs. If your home is scattered with items and there is barely room to walk around, it will be hard for them to picture themselves living there. Having your items cleaned and organized will also help you when it is time to pack and move on!

Eliminate Odors

You are probably craving fresh air anyway, so why not spend those sunny days with every window in the house wide open! This will help eliminate any residual odors you aren’t aware of and it can help keep air flowing while you are using chemical products to deep clean your home.

Learn Your Neighborhood’s Real Estate Activity

You may be pleasantly surprised with how home prices have surged in the past few years.  Learning about the current inventory in your area will help you see what your home’s “competition” will be.  You’ll want to be priced right and competitively in your area. We would be happy to run comps and give you an idea of a good potential list price of your home.  We also have a program called “My Neighborhood Report”.  This is a monthly email you receive with Active, Pending, and Sold homes in your subdivision.  Everybody wants to know the real estate activity in their neighborhood and we can provide you with the MLS information to keep you educated.

***FOR YOUR HEALTH AND PEACE OF MIND***  Reece Nichols and Moore Homes is abiding by Covid-19 regulations and guidelines. We are available for virtual showings and consultations. As always, thank you for trusting us, and stay safe and healthy.

 

Relevant Posts