Last month, we launched our 66 day pre list challenge, where I taught homeowners how to increase their home's value by $10k or more. It was WILDLY successful! We were able to help so many homeowners begin the process of preparing their homes for sale. One question that we kept getting was "Can I do this in less than 60 days? Can I do it in, say, 2 weeks?" I decided to write a followup blog to address that exact question!
The answer is absolutely, yet the amount of increase in your home's value will be a direct result of not how much time you took, but how much you did in that time. An increase will not come from cheating the system. It will take work. Lots of work. But it can be done in 14 days.
The Four Phases
1. DECLUTTER & ORGANIZE: During the first two-week phase of the challenge, you will be packing up a lot of your belongings. It will be the hardest part of the challenge, which is why we put it first! 2. CLEAN EVERYTHING:The next two-week phase is spent cleaning your home from top to bottom. There are no shortcuts for this and it absolutely will make the difference between 0-$10k. 3. MAKE REPAIRS/ PAINT: The third stage will depend primarily on the specific work that may or may not need to be done. The best way to know the right repairs to make is to call us at Rockstar and let us take a tour to tell you how to maximize your ROI. 4. STAGE: The final step is all about staging. We will give you staging tips in this ebook, but this one is best left up to the pros to maximize your space. Call us and we will have one of our experts take a tour and give specific feedback!
PHASE ONE: DECLUTTER & ORGANIZE
One of the most essential tasks in maximizing the profit on selling your home is to declutter, depersonalize, & organize your space. Buyers must imagine themselves in the space. We set the right vibe by creating as expansive & bright a space as we can.
Declutter, Depersonalize & Organize Common Spaces
Declutter, Depersonalize & Organize Bedrooms & Closets
Declutter, Depersonalize, & Organize Bathrooms
Declutter & Organize Attic, Basement, Garage
Declutter & Organize Outdoors
Pro Tip: Create a things to pack & things to leave list to keep your organized & efficient. Making the plan beforehand will help you move through quickly, instead of thinking about each item.
Phase 2. Clean Everything... And I Mean Everything
We don't sell our homes the same way we live in our homes. Oftentimes, we fail notice the wear and tear and small neglected areas, in our homes, because we are used to it. In order to sell at the highest value, you MUST clean absolutely everything, from the ceiling fans to the baseboards. It's not anyone's favorite part, yet making an extra $10k in 14 days requires elbow grease. Get comfortable getting uncomfortable! Below, you'll see the areas that we recommend you draw strict attention to. We've also included a cleaning checklist. You get a printable version by downloading the 14 day challenge!
Phase 3. Make Repairs
You may need to make repairs to the property in order to sell it. Once you go under contract, a Buyer will have a home inspection, where a licensed inspector will draw up a report on the home. You want to prepare as much as possible beforehand. Depending on your town, you may also need a CO inspection, which could require repairs.
Be very careful making repairs yourself or with an unlicensed individual. In some instances, you could need to show proof of a repair and if the repair was not made correctly or needs a permit, it could cause a problem. Also, this should go without saying, yet it rarely does: Identify your talents... or should I say... identify your areas for growth. In other words, if you suck at painting, please don't paint. The Buyer won't care if you spent the extra money on premium paint if your paint job is an absolute mess or you choose the worst color on the planet.
In order to maximize your return on investment, we strongly recommend calling us to discuss specific repairs that you intend to make. We will help you distinguish between value and appeal, so that you aren't making unnecessary repairs. Here are a list of some repair you may want/ need to make.
Repair major systems: roof, HVAC, hw heater, plumbing, electrical,
Repair any appliances that are not in working order: range, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.
Repair any settlement cracks or cracks in foundational walls. (repair appropriately)
Paint where needed- anywhere where the color is dull, dirty, or needs to be freshened.
Improve curb appeal by repairing siding, doors, steps, walkways, sheds, etc.
Phase 4: Stage
Staging is the magic glitter. It is the unspoken thing that lights the buyer up inside. Staging is reimagining a space and arranging furniture and decor in such a way that it electrifies the space. Some home sellers are naturally gifted with staging, but it is a unique talent, that few can do well. It requires expert spatial awareness and aesthetic skill to stage a home in a way that will cause a Buyer to pay the highest dollar value for a home.Above you'll find our top 5 staging tips, but in order to stage your home for ultimate profit, let our real estate team expertly stage your home in person! Give us a call at (609) 246-0214 x 4.
Open blinds, curtains, & drapes
Wreath on front door & potted plants framing door, trendy welcome mat
Move furniture away from the wall
Never leave a table without decor
Use plants in transitional areas
To take the full 66 day challenge, CLICK HERE! You'll receive a downloadable ebook with checklists, trackers, and SO MUCH MORE to held you in your next move!
So there you have it folks. all it takes is 14 days. There are no shortcuts. If you want to maximize the value of your home, you must put forth the right effort. These are not instructions to help you get $1-$2k more. They are the steps you can take to make $10k or MORE on your home. That doesn't just happen. It happens with focused effort and proper guidance. Don't leave your biggest investment up to a part time REALTOR®. Trust the experts and let us help you put more money in your pocket. Until next time, Rockstar Community, I'm sending you peace, love, and good vibes from my home to your's!