Selling Before the Holidays? 7 Quick Ways to Get Your Home Market-Ready This Fall

If you’re thinking about selling your home this fall and want to get it on the market before the holidays, where do you start?

Here’s the inside track from a Realtor.

1. Start With a Realtor Walk-Through

Before spending money, walk through your home with your Realtor and identify what really needs attention. A little paint, some spackle, rug cleaning or a few small repairs can make a big difference.

2. Check Your Basement

Take a good look downstairs. Do you see any signs of leaks or moisture? Are there walls that need to be repainted or sealed? These are things buyers and inspectors are likely to notice, so it’s better to address them before listing.

3. Take a Look at Your Lighting

Are all your light fixtures working? Make sure your bulbs are consistent in color and brightness throughout the house. If a fixture looks particularly dated, a simple replacement can give the room an instant refresh.

4. Check Your Permits

Reach out to your local municipality and make sure permits for previous improvements or renovations have been properly closed. You don’t want an old permit becoming an unexpected issue once you have a buyer.

5. Consider Pre-Inspections

Depending on your home and where you live, consider checking things like oil tanks, septic systems and sewer lines before you list.
Discovering a problem after you’re under contract can delay or even sabotage a sale. Knowing what you’re dealing with ahead of time gives you options.

6. Look at Your Home From the Street

Curb appeal matters. Fresh mulch, a little grass seed, trimmed shrubs and a general cleanup can quickly change the way your home presents.
Remember, your exterior is often a buyer’s first impression — both online and when they arrive for a showing.

7. Clean, Declutter & Open Up Your Space

Do the windows need cleaning? Could the house use a deeper clean? Are rooms, closets or basement areas crowded with boxes or extra furniture?
Sometimes a quick junk removal and decluttering is all it takes to make your home feel brighter, larger and much more inviting.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
The goal isn’t to make your home perfect. It’s to identify the things that matter, take care of potential problems before they become an issue and present your home at its very best.