10 Steps to Prepare Your Fairfield County Home for Sale

You've decided to sell your beloved home and now it's time to prepare it for the sale. This can be a challenging task, but with the guidance of Fairfield County real estate expert Lisa Migliardi, you can get your home ready to sell as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

Lisa Migliardi is a top-selling real estate agent with years of experience working in the market. She has successfully assisted hundreds of homeowners in marketing and selling their homes throughout Greenwich, Stamford, Westport, and all of Fairfield County, and her team is ready to help you move.

Let’s take a look at the necessary steps involved to prepare your home for the market.

Choosing to sell your property is a significant decision as you’ll embark on a process that will be an investment of time and resources in order to ensure a substantial reward in the end. Before you make the choice, consider the following; are you emotionally ready to sell? Is your home in good condition? Do you have the time and resources to prepare your home for sale? Is your property marketable? Do you know where you’ll go next? Buy larger/smaller? Stay in the same area, or move to a new city? Rent? Move in with family?

If you're having trouble answering any of these questions, it would be in your favor to consult with a real estate agent. Lisa can help you assess your home's marketability and give you an idea of how long it will take to sell. Once you've committed to selling, it's time to get started on the preparatory work.

The first step in preparing your home for sale is getting rid of excess furniture, decorations, and personal items. Less is more when selling your home so pack up any extra belongings and put them in storage. This tidiness will make your home appear more spacious and will allow buyers to imagine themselves living there. It also makes the home easier to stage for photos and be presentable for open houses.

 

When decluttering, be sure to get rid of any excess items in the garage and basement. These areas can make your home look run-down and unfinished if not addressed. If you have too much stuff, you can hold a garage sale or donate items to charity.

Don't have the time or resources to do this yourself? Lisa Migliardi and her team can provide assistance in this regard by decluttering your home and packing up any belongings you don't want to keep. We can recommend storage solutions if need be so you can focus on browsing for new homes.

Lisa can also recommend a professional sanitation team to give your home a thorough cleaning before it goes on the Greenwich real estate market. These professionals will scrub every nook and cranny, remove all dust, and polish all surfaces. A clean home shows you've taken good care of it and it's been well-maintained. It also gives buyers a positive first impression when they walk through the door which is crucial when selling your home.

Some grime and dirt can be difficult to remove on your own which is why it's best to leave it to the professionals. On top of scrubbing, Lisa's team can also deep clean carpets and upholstery, remove any unwanted smells, and even treat your windows for a streak-free shine.

One of the most critical steps in preparing your home for sale is scheduling a home inspection. It will give you a clear understanding of any repairs or updates which need to be made before putting your home on the market. It's best to address these issues as soon as possible so you can get them out of the way before potential buyers start touring your home. You should also consider scheduling a pre-inspection, particularly if you have a well, septic system, pool, or an older home.

 

We have years of experience working with reputable home inspectors in the Fairfield County area, so we know who to trust. On the day of your appointment, the inspector will go through your home and examine all the major systems such as the roof, plumbing, and electrical. They'll also inspect the entire house for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Once the inspection is complete, Lisa will go over the report with you and recommend any necessary repairs.

If your home needs repairs or upgrades, now is the time to do them. Small repairs can be costly and time-consuming so it's best to let us take care of them before you put your home on the market so it can show its best during the first few days. Most homes are receiving multiple offers within days of listing, so first impressions are everything. You’ll want your buyer’s inspection to be as seamless as possible so that you can continue to move forward in a timely manner.

Additionally, buyers will expect your home to be in good condition, so it's best to address any issues ahead of time. Some common repairs homeowners must face before selling include:

 

To increase your home's appeal and value, you might also want to consider investing in a few upgrades. You'll have to be smart about which upgrades you choose as not all of them will be worth the investment. Some enhancements which can give your home a competitive edge in the market include:

 

A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make your home look new again. It can also be one of the most cost-effective tactics to increase your home's value as it will cover any imperfections in the walls and make your interior look brighter and more spacious. Consider adding a pop of color to your front door and/or garage doors to add some exceptional curb appeal.

To give your home even more gleam, open up as many windows as possible and let in natural light. You can also tidy up the yard and plant vibrant flowers to give your exterior splashes of color. It’s also a good idea to replace old letters and house numbers and install a new mailbox or exterior light fixtures. These small touches will make your home look well-cared for and inviting to potential buyers. Attention to detail is key when preparing your home for sale, so taking the time to get it right can have a significant effect on the outcome of your sale.

Buyers will always be interested in your closets and drawers as they'll want to know how much storage space is available. If these areas are cluttered and messy, it will give the impression your home doesn't have enough storage space which can be a turnoff for any potential buyers. Consider adding plastic bins, storage cubes, or hangers that are all the same color. When preparing your home for sale, pay special attention to these areas and make sure they’re ready to be shown on a tour.

 

Once the inside of your home is spic and span, it's time to focus on the outside. As the first impression potential buyers will get of your home is its curb appeal, the exterior of your home will have an outsize impact on how they feel about your property. Ensure all of the lawn is mowed and trimmed and no weeds or debris are cluttering up the yard.

If your home has a porch, make sure it's clean and tidy. Add a few potted plants or flowers to brighten it up and hang a colorful wreath on the door. If your home has a garage, be sure to keep it clean and organized. The more attention you pay to your home's exterior the more likely buyers will be inspired to tour your property and consider making an offer.

The sidewalks and driveway need to be presentable as well so be sure to sweep and shovel them as necessary. If they're in bad shape, you might want to consider investing in pavers to replace the surfaces.

Preparing your home for sale requires a lot of effort and you want to make sure you get a return on this investment. It's a common mistake to underprice your home and concern buyers that there's something wrong with your property but you also don't want to overprice it and scare them away. Pricing it just right is essential and a few factors go into this.

A trusted realtor like Lisa Migliardi is a pro at setting the right price for your home. She'll utilize her in-depth knowledge of the local market and pricing trends to determine the right number that will attract the most amount of buyers possible.

This will give potential buyers a chance to see your home in person and get a feel for what it's like to live there. It's also an excellent opportunity to answer any questions you might have and highlight the property’s best attributes.

 

If you're interested in hosting an open house, Lisa can help you set it up. She'll advertise your open house on all the major real estate websites and market specifically to your targeted buyers. On the day of, she'll make sure the house smells fresh and is well-decorated. She'll also be there to answer any specific questions potential buyers might have about the place that you might feel unqualified to answer.

 

Preparing your home for sale can be a lot of work but it's worth it in the end. By following these ten steps, you'll be able to sell your home quickly and for the best price possible. If you want to learn more about preparing your home for sale or about Fairfield County real estate, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lisa Migliardi for expert guidance. She and her team would love to show you real estate and Greenwich homes for sale.