Before listing your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), it’s crucial to take several steps to ensure you’re prepared for a smooth and successful sale.
Here are the Top 10 Things to Do Before Listing Your Home:
1. Set the Right Price
Why it’s important: Pricing your home too high or too low can either scare off potential buyers or result in financial loss.
What to Do: Research comparable homes (comps) in your neighborhood to determine the market value. Consider factors like the home’s size, condition, and location. A fair, competitive price will attract more buyers. TIP: The Property Appraisers website for your county will have recent sales – some of which may not be on the MLS or sites such as Zillow, etc.
2. Declutter and Clean Your Home
Why It’s Important: A clutter-free and clean home allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space. A well-maintained home also signals to buyers that it’s been well cared for.
What to Do: Clean thoroughly, especially kitchens, bathrooms, and windows. Tip: Consider donating or selling items you no longer need, and organize rooms to make them look spacious.
3. Make Necessary Repairs and Upgrades
Why It’s Important: Small repairs and upgrades can increase your home’s value and appeal. Buyers often hesitate to make offers on homes with obvious issues.
What to Do: Fix broken faucets, leaky pipes, or damaged flooring. If your home needs larger repairs (like roof leaks or HVAC issues), address those as well. Minor upgrades like fresh paint or updated lighting can make a big difference.
4. Stage Your Home
Why It’s Important: Staging helps your home look its best and enables buyers to visualize how the space can be used.
What to Do: Arrange furniture to highlight the best features of each room. Remove personal items like family photos and excess furniture. Tip: Typically staging can be done with just a few items, when in doubt, consider hiring a professional stager.
5. Get Professional Photos Taken
Why It’s Important: High-quality photos are essential for making a good first impression. What to Do: Great photos are easily taken with most cell phone. Remember to hold your phone in the horizontal (landscape) position and capture the essence of the room – not the furniture in the room. Take 35 – 50 photos then select the best photos for the MLS. About 25 good quality photos is sufficient. Be sure to include front of the home, entry, interior, read of the home and back yard.
What to Do: Alternatively, hire a professional photographer who specializes in real estate photography. Ensure the photos highlight the best features of the home, including the exterior, living spaces, and key rooms (kitchen, bedrooms, etc.). Tip: Be sure the photographer provides the photos in JPG format – the format used by most Multiple Listing Services.
6. Organize Your Paperwork
Why It’s Important: Buyers and their agents will need various documents, such as property disclosures, inspection reports, survey and tax information.
What to Do: Gather essential documents, including your deed, property tax information, recent utility bills, any warranties on appliances, and records of major repairs or improvements. Be prepared to disclose any known issues with the home. Tip: Provide these documents in PDF format to your Flat Fee Listing broker to attach to your online listing.
7. Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection
Why It’s Important: A pre-listing inspection can help identify issues before buyers do, allowing you to address them or adjust the price accordingly.
What to Do: Hire a certified home inspector to conduct a thorough inspection. Address major concerns or disclose them upfront in your listing to build trust with buyers. Tip: Many Home Inspectors will provide a pre-listing inspection for a lesser price because they do not provide an in depth report but the pre-listing inspection will give you a heads up on issues.
8. Choose the Right Flat Fee MLS Service
Why It’s Important: A quality Flat Fee MLS service ensures your home will be visible to buyers and agents on popular listing platforms (e.g., Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin).
What to Do: Research Flat Fee MLS services that offer good exposure and essential listing features. Check reviews and compare services to find the best fit for your needs. Tip: Create a list of the 3 or 4 services important to you: Support? A la carte services such as contract review? Market Analysis? Professional guidance?
9. Prepare for Showings
Why It’s Important: Flexibility with showings increases the likelihood of attracting potential buyers. A well prepared home is easier to sell.
What to Do: Keep your home show-ready by maintaining cleanliness and organization. Be flexible with showing times, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate prospective buyers. Tip: Keep valuables and personal items out of sight to avoid having to remember to put away before those last-minute showings. Kennel or take the dogs for a walk when prospects arrive.
10. Create a Marketing Plan
Why It’s Important: MLS exposure is essential, but additional marketing can help you reach a broader audience and increase interest in your home.
What to Do: Plan to promote your listing on social media, local classified sites, and via email to friends and family. Consider hosting an open house or creating a virtual tour if your MLS service allows. Tip: Ask your Flat Fee MLS broker if this service is available. It may be available for an extra fee.
Bonus: Know Your Negotiation Strategy
Why It’s Important: Be prepared to negotiate offers and counteroffers to ensure you get the best deal.
What to Do: Decide ahead of time what your minimum acceptable price is and be ready to counter offers. Understand the terms you’re willing to negotiate (e.g., closing costs, repairs) and consult a real estate attorney if needed. Tip: Contact your preferred closing agent or real estate attorney to prepare a mock-up closing statement – this will provide your estimated closing costs as well as your net proceeds.
Conclusion:
Before you list your home on the Multiple Listing Service or decide to sell your home FSBO (For Sale By Owner), it’s essential to take the time to prepare both physically and strategically. By pricing it correctly, making necessary repairs, staging the home, and creating a solid marketing plan, you’ll increase your chances of a fast and profitable sale. Taking these steps ensures your home stands out in a competitive market.