The new year is just around the corner! If you’re planning to sell your home in January, here are three things to do before your house goes on the market.
Replace those lightbulbs!
Often overlooked by sellers, a burnt-out lightbulb isn’t a good sign to a potential buyer. While this isn’t a major fix for the buyer, dead lightbulbs can give the impression that the home wasn’t well-kept. This could potentially cause people to start noticing other things “wrong” with your home and sway them from making an offer.
If you’re having your home professionally photographed for the listing, it’s best to have all lightbulbs working properly. Photographers turn on all lights when taking photos of homes, and it will stand out if one of your bulbs above the bathroom sink isn’t working.
Tighten Loose Handles.
Is that doorknob to the basement door slightly loose when you turn it? Or do you have some kitchen cabinet knobs that need tightening?
Take care of all of this now before somebody else notices. Similar to the lightbulbs, loose doorknobs signal to the buyer that the home could use some TLC, and there may be other things they should be aware of as they tour your house. This is an easy fix – grab a screwdriver and take 30 minutes to check out the house!
Declutter.
We’ve discussed this before regarding home staging, but I will drive it home for you. Selling your home in the new year means people will view your house right after the holidays. When you take down Christmas decorations, put away some other decor items too. Did your children’s amount of toys double this year? Consider packing away some older toys or donating them to a local charity.
Potential buyers do not want to see a cluttered home. They want to picture their own belongings in what could be their new house – if you have too much stuff sitting around, you will give the impression your home doesn’t have enough storage space.
If you’re looking to sell (or buy!) your home in 2023, I’m happy to help! I can answer any questions you may have about the process, the current housing market, or even how to properly stage your home. Call me at 717-253-3259 (cellphone) or visit my website at www.karentavenner.com.