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Selling Your Home: How to Prep for a Fast and Easy Sale as a Busy Parent
By Kris Louis
Selling your home soon? You might already be thinking about all the work involved and how to get it all done without spending a ton of time, money, or energy, which can stress you out if you’re a busy parent. Getting ready for a move is often difficult in and of itself, but when you add in having to clean and stage the house for showings so you can get the best price, the entire process can become overwhelming. There are so many details to consider, especially if there is a lot of competition in your neighborhood; you want to attract serious buyers who have a nice budget, but you may need to spend a little money in order to do so. Making updates can help you get a great return on your investment if they’re the right ones.
One of the most important details to keep in mind is how to keep your house clean and neat while it’s on the market, especially if you have young children and/or pets. Figuring out how to prep things in a hurry will come in handy since realtors aren’t always able to give you much notice when a potential buyer wants to stop by. Making sure there are no stains or odors, opening curtains and blinds to let natural light in, and picking up clutter are easy ways to make sure your home is ready quickly. Read on for some great tips on how to sell your home quickly and easily.
Declutter
Decluttering can involve any number of things, from going through closets and pulling out things you no longer need to depersonalizing the decor. It’s an important part of staging a home, so think about the best ways to make each room stand out. If your living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, make those the focal point and remove furniture from in front of them. Look at your artwork and family photos; taking much of those off the walls and leaving just a couple of pieces up will help make the spaces feel more neutral.
Make Last-Minute Adjustments
Cleaning and decluttering is one struggle, but you also have to make sure you can quickly clean up if you get a last-minute call for a viewing. In most cases, your realtor will give you plenty of time to prepare, but sometimes a buyer comes along who just can’t wait, and if they are serious about making an offer, you won’t want to put them off. Learning how to spruce up your home in 15 minutes or less will be a huge advantage, so remember to think about the little things, like opening windows and pulling back curtains to let in fresh air and light, putting away clutter, and lighting a candle to ensure the buyer is greeted with a nice scent.
Make Some Updates
While some homeowners go all out and make big renovations before trying to sell, you don’t have to go that route. There are some smaller things you can do to make updates that will attract buyers, and they won’t take up too much time. Replacing cabinet hardware, adding LED lights to new fixtures (which will be energy- and cost-efficient) or simply adding a fresh coat of paint are great ways to update any room without going big.
Add Some Curb Appeal
The front of your home plays a major role in attracting buyers. Keeping the landscaping neat and tidy, adding a pop of color with a hanging flower basket, adding a coat of paint to the front door, touching up the house numbers painted on the curb, or replacing outdoor light fixtures are all easy ways to make the front of your home look like new, and they aren’t expensive to do.
Preparing your home to put it on the market can be a daunting task, but it’s actually not so scary if you begin with a plan in mind. Remember to make the most of each room by highlighting its best feature, and get organized so you and your family can maintain the cleanliness. With these tips, you’ll be able to sell your home in no time!