Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in 9 Easy Steps

Selling your home may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can make a great impression with buyers and whip your house into shape, getting your home ready to sell without breaking the bank. By putting in a little effort before you list your home, you can save yourself hours of time and avoid pitfalls down the road.

Wondering how to get your house ready to sell? First, before you list your home, it’s smart to connect with a top-performing agent in your area. Seasoned agents can help you check all the boxes and sell your home quickly.

Also, if you have any flexibility in your selling schedule, it’s a good idea to time your home sale to line up with seasonal demand in your local market. Before you sell, check out HomeLight’s best time to sell calculator. It will show you the best time to sell your property for the highest value. Once you’ve taken care of those two important items, follow our checklist below for 9 must-do steps to getting your home ready to sell.

How to get your house ready to sell

With a few preparations, you can set up your home to dazzle onlookers and fly off the market. Here are the 9 simple steps to getting your home ready to sell:

1. Complete a pre-sale inspection

When unexpected issues pop up during your inspection, it can drag out your home sale. A recent Confidence Index by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that contract terminations held steady at 5%, delayed settlements affected 13% of contracts, and appraisal issues delayed 7% of contracts. Home inspection problems can definitely slow things down and even derail sales since they complicate negotiations. To stay ahead of any issues and speed up your home sale, consider getting a pre-sale inspection.

When you get a pre-sale inspection, a pro checks out your home before it hits the market. This lets you tackle any issues early and avoid last-minute surprises that could slow down your sale. As you make updates, be sure you cover these common issues that come up during home inspections:

Dirty air filters in HVAC systems
Signs of pest infestations
Plumbing clogs
Cracked windows or broken screens
Broken appliances
Water stains on ceilings
Leaky faucets

Even if you don’t have months to prepare, it is possible to make some quick, inexpensive, upgrades to get your house ready for listing. By focusing on the areas with the highest impact and visibility, you can give your property an edge over the competition without going over your budget.