Real Estate 203 – Prelisting (Alabama Version)

The time period prior to listing your home is just as important as actually listing it!

Don't think just because you have an agent that there's nothing you need to do. Your agent isn't the one that will be getting your home ready to market to the best of its ability. You still have some responsibilities ahead of you! You might also see some sub-courses that may apply to your specific situation. If they do not, then skip those. If they do, PLEASE read them carefully because it can impact the outcome of your transaction if you aren't prepared.

Let's talk timelines.

Preparing to list your home also means you need to make your agent aware of any important timelines in your life. If you are planning to move, where you are planning to move, if you need help finding an agent in the new area, if the contract has to be contingent on you finding a new home... Many factors come into play. It could be job related, family related, growing family, or you might be retired and are wanting to downsize. Regardless of the reason you're planning to move, please keep your agent informed at all times of your specific timeline requirements. While they cannot promise to have your home sold by a certain date, they can give you their professional opinion of how long marketing the home will take before likelihood of receiving offers. The earlier you talk about things with your agent, the better.

Next, let's talk about the reason you're selling.

Reasons vary widely, but there are things you need to know. Below will be lists of some reasons and if it references another sub-course, please be sure to click that and read it thoroughly. Many people think they have an idea of their circumstance only to realize they have additional steps they needed to complete before being able to sell.

Divorce/Separation - See RE203-1
Inherited property - See RE203-2
Behind on mortgage - See RE203-3
Bankruptcy - See RE203-4
Military - See RE203-5
Wholesalers - See RE203-6

Now your agent knows how quickly you need to move and the reason behind the move, let's talk about how to get your property ready.

Know your audience: Whether you have a $40,000 house or a $40,000,000 estate, we are here to treat you the same. Every transaction is important to us and we truly care about you and your future. However, there are different ways these properties need to be marketed. Talk with your agent after they see the property and see what the best route for you might be. Sometimes sellers do not have the funds to renovate homes, so they need to market toward investors rather than first time home buyers which have contingencies for their loans regarding property condition. Maybe your home just needs a refresher - your agent can tell you if it is worth the time/money to invest a little bit up front to get a good return once you sell. Do not be scared or embarrassed about any situation. We are here to help.

Declutter: When people are touring homes, they try to visualize the space for their needs. It is best to declutter your home prior to listing. This doesn't mean throw everything away or not have anything resembling someone living in the home there, it just means make sure there are clean viewpoints when someone is looking into a room. The less "stuff," the better. It might be beneficial for you to start boxing up items if you have too many and are moving because you need more space.

Depersonalize: While agents do their best to vet their clients and know who they are before agreeing to take them into your home, we never know someone's true intentions. Be sure that your family is protected above everything. Removing your child's photos, school schedules, or anything personally connecting your child or even you to the home is best. The rule of thumb - Better safe than sorry.

Remove valuables or lock them up: People will at times bring children through your home when touring. People with sticky fingers might even come through (no matter how much we try to vet buyers). Anything of value, anything breakable, or any weapons should be removed from the property or secured in a safe to avoid accidents or entice a thief.

Make minor improvements (if you are expecting a retail value/buyer): That leaky faucet or running toilet you've been putting off fixing? Fix it. That spot the dog chewed? Fix it. Paint around the outside or even inside that is flaky? Fix it. Appliances that have issues? Fix it. Roof has a leak? Fix it. I could go on for a while here, but these are just small examples. If a buyer sees a bunch of small items that have been deferred maintenance, they will assume you do not take care of the home and they will see themselves having many issues in the future. A retail buyer wants move in ready and as little problems as possible, regardless of how small they may seem.

Curb appeal: Getting buyers through the doors is what is important. Drawing them in from the outside is how you do that. Pine straw, grass cutting, edging, pressure washing, soft washing your roof if it is stained but still has life - these are all important factors to consider. The "newer" your house looks regardless of the age, the better in a buyer's mind. If you're taking care of the outside, in their minds they think you are taking care of the inside. And vice versa. This is usually a pretty cheap expense and makes a huge impact on first impressions.

Deep clean: We all have our own versions of cleanliness. Think of it this way... The new buyer doesn't want to see 15 year old dust on your ceiling fans! Cleaner homes show better. People do in fact look at your baseboards - maybe not at Thanksgiving, but potential buyers will look at EVERYTHING. Soap scum in your showers, toothpaste in your sink... It is an easy thing to spruce up and helps tremendously on showings.

Change out blown or missing light bulbs: Homes typically show better when you can actually see them. Dark spaces tend to make things feel smaller and look less clean. It also works better when you have matching bulbs. Don't put in daylight bulbs next to soft white. It is a distraction and that's not what your buyer's attention needs to be drawn to.

When you are ready to put your home on the market, head over to RE204 – Listing & Offers.