Waukesha County Home

HOME MARCH 2022 6 The past few years, Wauke- sha County has been experi- encing a strong seller's real estate market. But even with that advantage, there are six key steps to take — even before the For Sale sign goes up — that can maximize your chances of getting the best price for your home. According to Kimberly Dove of Shorewest Realtors, since first-time home buyers are entering the market in record numbers, having your home in top condition is important. "They are looking for homes that are move-in ready. Even in a seller's mar- ket, things like older carpet- ing, poor exterior appeal, deferred maintenance and a lack of updates can be detri- mental when selling your home." Like Dove, Abby Hauke of First Weber believes atten- tion to detail and upkeep can make all the difference when you decide you want to sell. But, she says, it's smart to start working on your home long before you make that decision. The first thing on the to-do list should be declut- tering. 'Show ready' "Declutter and purge right now — there's no reason to wait. It tends to be a big stres- sor for sellers. You need to be able to show the home open and clean and allow the buy- ers to visualize themselves in the space. It also makes it eas- ier for your move," said Hauke. In fact, HomeLight research has found that reducing clutter can add more than $2,500 to a home's value. Make sure you include closets in the decluttering. Messy, packed closets tell buyers there's not enough storage. While decluttering, it's a good idea to depersonalize the space. Potential buyers might find it difficult to imag- ine themselves living in your home if there are reminders of you and your family all around. Along with the decluttering and depersonalizing, Dove also suggests a deep cleaning. "Often times sellers forget to clean baseboards, celling fans and light switch plates. When buyers are looking at homes they are looking up, down and all around," Dove says. Hauke also recommends a thorough cleaning. "Every- one's level of clean is a little different. It's important to always have it show ready." Pre-inspection report Just as important as a lack of clutter, mementoes and dust is a lack of surprises, according to Tonya Thomsen from Realty Execs. She sug- gests getting a pre-listing home inspection done by the most thorough inspector you can find. "Surprises are no fun in a sale transaction. The most stressful part of the process is often the home inspection. As a seller, you are wonder- ing what the inspector might find and whether it could be major enough to halt the transaction. Finding out the true condition of your home ahead of time reduces the stress and can save a lot of money," Thomsen says. "Many buyers who are given a pre-inspection report may consider removing inspection contingencies," Hauke adds. "Invest in tune- ups and checks on major mechanicals. It's another security point to deliver to buyers to make them feel comfortable. Today's buyers are coming in educated and they're smart about where they're putting their money." Adding value After the inspection, con- sider if there are upgrades that might add value. For instance, many people are looking for more space when buying a new home, so a fin- ished basement can be very attractive. Also, minor upgrades, such as new faucets or showerheads in the bathroom, can make a good impression. And, of course, a new coat of paint is a simple fix that comes with minimal expense. In fact, it's a good idea to neu- tralize paint colors through- out the house. "Different tones are OK, but definitely, if you have pink or purple walls, neutral- ize those," Hauke says. The interior is important, but you'll also want to make a good impression before a potential buyer even gets to the door. "The exterior of the home is often overlooked. Few peo- ple actually enter their homes through the front door, so they forget to clean and spruce up this area. Removing cobwebs from door frames and the corners of a covered porch, weeding flower beds, trimming shrubs and trees, improving exterior lighting — these all add to the home's curb appeal and make a positive first impression on a buyer," Thompsen says. Even in a seller's market, curb appeal is still critical so be sure to set your house apart from the rest of the neighborhood. "Paint the front door and change your outdoor light fix- tures so they pop," Hauke adds. Beyond these crucial moves, if you want some expertise and a second opin- ion on putting your best food forward, consider hiring a staging company. "A professional Realtor can assist you in preparing your home for sale and many have staging certifications. Other- wise, a Realtor can enlist a professional stager to get the home market-ready," says Dove. "A staging walk-through consultation provides advice on how to arrange your fur- niture to draw attention to the best feature of each room, suggestions for what to remove and even paint color recommendations for rooms that need some updating. If the home is vacant or has very few furnishings, you can rent furniture and artwork from a staging company. The goal is to make your home appeal to as many buyers as possible," says Thompsen. The to-do list when selling a home can seem endless but decluttering, cleaning, paint- ing and tackling the other steps will be worth the invest- ment to buyers to your door. Get your home ready for sale — even in a seller's market

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