House Sale Prep

If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you know that we are in the process of packing up 21 years and downsizing into a smaller home.

In fact, we've already bought a house.

In Utah.

2400 miles away.

And...

We've only seen it on the internet.

Photo Credit: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chaparral-visuals-leeds

But, that's a story for another post.

This post is about how we've navigated the process in preparation for moving and how we are sure that you too can manage it as well.

Here are my top 8 tips!

#1 - DOWNSIZE!

Photo Credit:  EVG Photos

Yes, you WILL have to get rid of stuff if you a going smaller.

You will have to get rid of stuff if your new home's footprint is different.

Let me explain.

We are only downsizing by about 500 sq feet, BUT...

The floorplan is totally different than what we have.

Fewer walls, more open concept, and more built-ins.

I did a great post on the Secrets to Downsizing, so check that out if you are in the process of making decisions with your actual stuff.

We've had to make some hard decisions (read hubby sometimes struggles here, me, not so much) about what we really want to haul 2400 miles across the country.

Having a clear goal and perspective makes it so much easier.

#2 - TAKE A HOME DIY INVENTORY

Photo Credit:  La Miko

This is one of the critical things I recommend you do, starting about a year out of your projected move date.

Take a sheet of paper and a pen and walk through EVERY SINGLE room in your home, making notes of things that need to be fixed.  

For example:

Are paint touchups needed in places?

Are settling cracks needed to be filled, sanded, and painted?

Should the old bathroom faucet be replaced?

Could the tub area improve by getting recaulked?

Do you need to add door seal to your outside doors?

Should you paint over the 90's red paint in your entryway?

(Yes, we did this!)

Little investments like these will pay off when you place your home on the market.

I say this from the experience of looking at THOUSANDS of homes on the internet.

Until we landed on the home we bought, I was constantly evaluating what we would need to do in order to make the home to our taste.

Upgrading things like 70's faucets in a bathroom to something on-trend can cost you under $50 at Lowe's, but pay off with hundreds more on your asking price.

Our new home has been totally repainted to a neutral white and the bedrooms recarpeted by the current owner.  This was was a big plus in our offering for this home.

If you feel like you are not good at evaluating what needs to be done, ask your realtor.

Their experience will be invaluable.

#3 - CHECK LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

Photo Credit:  David McBee

In Sussex County, DE, if you are on a septic system, you must have a specific septic inspection, performed by a certified septic inspector, before your home changing hands.

So we did not have an "OH CRAP" moment, we had our Class H inspection done PRIOR listing our current home.

We we SO VERY HAPPY when it passed with flying colors and we had nothing to fix or replace.

I know several friends who have not been so lucky.

In fact, one had to TOTALLY REPLACE their septic system (at their cost) before settlement, or the financing would not go through.

I totally understand the need, especially environmentally, but it can be a big hit to your budget if you have to spend thousands on large ticket items like this.

Be proactive and check your local requirements to see if these types of things need to be inspected.

Do this when you are making your DIY List!

#4 - HIRE A REALTOR

Photo Credit:  Lukas

This goes without saying.

Hire someone whom you trust, is fully capable, and works with you to sell your home for its true value.

Our realtor is also one of my dearest friends, and we trust her completely.

She came through and walked the house with me and made different suggestions which I followed.

She's working hard, even through a MAJOR PANDEMIC, to sell our home.

(Our state closed down 3 days AFTER we put up the sign and only opened back up 2 weeks ago.)

Don't be afraid to ask questions when listing your home and set parameters as well.

We don't want an Open House and are requiring 24 hours notice before showings.

You can always do a google search for ideas and ways to approach subjects with your realtor.

Remember, they are offering a service and are happy to work with you to sell your home successfully.

But, it's up to you to do your due diligence.

#5 - MINIMIZE

Photo Credit:  Paula

I can't say this enough!

You probably don't need all the stuff you think you do, and do you really want to drag it to a new home?

I always ask myself these questions as I'm packing:

Have I used this recently?

Do I want to move this 2400 miles across the country?

Where will I store this once it gets there?

These questions have really helped me pare down items and take only what I believe I will truly need and use.

I do realize that I am still taking too much, but I've done some research on thrift and consignments stores in our new area and am confident that I can still minimize once we arrive.

I may be taking too much, but I'm not taking everything!

#6 - DEEP CLEAN AND STAGE

Photo Credit:  Pixabay

Now is the time to roll up your sleeves or hire someone to come in a really clean your home.

Things like windows and sills need to be thoroughly wiped down till they sparkle.

Corners and under heavy furniture need to be dusted or vacuumed.

Cabinets need a good soaping and shine to remove grease and accumulated gunk.

You get the drift... your home needs to be sparkling.

Once it's clean, you need to set it up so it presents well to buyers.

Photo Credit:  Karolina Grabowski

There's a whole psychology when a potential buyer walks into your home and tries to imagine it as theirs.

To appeal to that, you need to remove the personal pictures and tchotchkes so that buyers can imagine their own stuff where yours used to be.

Of course, the large family portrait, smiling down from over the fireplace can stay.

It tells potential buyers that a happy family has lived here and theirs could be the next happy family.

Packing away extra clutter also frees up spaces and makes them look bigger than they really are.

When a buyer's eye can take in the whole room and roam around it without distraction, you present your home in an appealing light.

This is also the time when your realtor will want to come in and take photos for the internet and possibly take footage for a video or 3-D viewing as well.

Our new home has the 3-D capability and I literally "walk through our new home" 3 to 4 times a day.

In fact, I've "been in" our new house more than if we actually set foot in it for real.

#7 - PUT UP THE FOR SALE SIGN

Photo Credit:  Photo Mix Company

Once you've done all of the above, set a date, sign your listing paperwork, and have your realtor come and hammer in the yard signage.

This is a critical moment because it means you are really moving forward.

Don't psyche yourself out here either.

A line of cars will probably not be pulling up with the last blow of the hammer on the sign.

This is the time to relax and enjoy your spotless home.

It's also a time to continue packing up things in drawers and cupboards so that you are not overwhelmed when moving day actually arrives.

You will need to check your email or text messages frequently as technology and home sales have advanced and are using them as ways to communicate with sellers and buyers.

We have done absolutely everything through email and text messages for our home in Utah.

In fact, we are settling on it remotely.

The first time we step into our Utah home will be when we pull up with the moving truck.

#8 - MAINTAIN WHILE IT'S ON THE MARKET

Photo Credit:  Mark McCammron

Until your home sells, you will need to keep it in a manageable state, ready for a quick zhuzh for showing.

This means that you need to set a cleaning schedule and create a list to quickly check off in preparation.

Talk with your realtor and about what you need to do before leaving the house before a showing.

For instance, wiping down all the sinks and faucets with a clean damp cloth removes spots and dried toothpaste remnants.

Making sure all the drawers are closed on dressers presents a tidy appearance.

Also, you will need to leave lights on throughout the house so it appears bright and welcoming.

You and your realtor can do a mock walk-through to set these ideas in place.

Right now, we are cleaning different parts of the house every day.

Running the vacuum and doing a quick dusting prevents me from losing my mind when I only have a 24-hour window till a showing.

I created a list that helps us quickly ready the house.

In fact, all the feedback so far from lookers has been highly positive.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/24129-Beaver-Dam-Dr_Seaford_DE_19973_M69290-47552

Life's transitions happen to us all, but there are ways to make them workable and successful.

What are some ways you know to tackle them?

I'd love to hear your comments below and help anyone who is also in the throes of moving.