The thought of selling the family home and moving into an apartment or senior living community may seem overwhelming. It’s difficult to say goodbye to a home filled with memories and belongings. It can be frustrating trying to decide which belongings to keep and which to part with. It’s an emotional process and it can be a frustrating time for some seniors.
It’s best to sort thru all these items before you place your home on the market. Your home is more than likely your biggest asset and you want to prepare the house to show at its best for buyers. These tips will make the process less stressful and more organized.
I. Hire an SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist
A seniors real estate specialist has vast experience selling homes for seniors. They can recommend other professionals that can assist with getting your house ready for the market and help you sell your home. They can also assist with helping you find your next home.
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2. Decluttering before selling
Keep in mind that you are selling your home and not your belongings. The process of decluttering entails selling, donating, and discarding belongings that will not be going to your next home.
Put the items that you don’t use every day in storage. Less personal belongings in your home will allow prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in your home.
3. Consider Hiring a Home Stager
The process can be overwhelming for you, I recommend you hire a home stager. Home Stagers know how to present your home for the market. In addition, they will help you sort thru your belongings and decide what items should stay or go. A home stager will position your furniture in a room and recommend decor to compliment the presentation of the room. Homes that are staged sell faster and for more money.
4. Deep cleaning and repair
Today’s buyers expect a home to be in move-in condition. Any leaky faucets, or bad plumbing, have it fixed. Your walls should be freshly painted in neutral colors. Any flooring that is worn or torn should be replaced. When you are not replacing your carpets, have them professionally cleaned. Hardwood flooring should be refinished.
The outside of your home is equally important as the inside. Should you have overgrown, bushes have them trimmed. In addition, have the exterior of your home painted or pressure washed to freshen it up. If you are unable to do these things, hire a professional. Most Realtors have a list of professionals that can assist you with these tasks.
5. Leave the house for showings
It may be inconvenient to leave your home for showings, however, a buyer may feel uncomfortable if you are there while they view your home. Speak with your Realtor about the scheduling of viewings and timeframes so you are not too inconvenienced during this process. With today’s market activity, showings can go on for several hours throughout the day. It is recommended that you leave your home for the first couple of days that your home is on the market.
6. Professional movers
Professional movers can pack up your belongings as well as move them to your new home. They can even unpack your items to make the move easier. This will make the move faster and safer than you do it yourself. Make sure to pack a separate bag of essentials for your first day in your new home with any clothing or meds that you may require.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
