New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home:

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You’ve been talking about selling for how long now? This new year, make it your goal to finally put your home on the market. And don’t worry, I’ll be here to make sure this is one resolution you don’t quit on.

Preparation is the key to success when it comes to home sales. If you are seriously thinking of selling your home and want to maximize its value, you should start to prepare at least two months prior. This process takes time, and a stress-free selling experience requires some hard work and commitment from the seller. So, let’s take a look at our to-do list to do before you list.

• Makeover: Your home needs to be ready to show. You may be asking yourself where to start and staging a home can be incredibly stressful. It might be beneficial to bring in consultants and/or stagers to professionally arrange your home in a way that will attract potential buyers.

• Pre-purge: Before your home is ready to be shown to potential buyers, you need to do an initial cleaning and decluttering. People will be looking through your cabinets and closets, and if they messy and unorganized spaces, it can turn them away. Putting things in storage that you might need in your next home can be helpful.

• Early inspection: This means having an inspector come in and identify things that could be potential issues later in the process. Resolving these issues can be costly and time consuming. By getting a head start and addressing them before putting your home on the market, you are setting yourself up for a much smoother transaction.

• Fresh Eyes: Recruiting a family member or friend to check out your home after you’ve done all your preparation can be helpful. Be sure to pick the person you know will tell it like it is. Honesty is the key to success!

Once you’ve checked these items off your list, keep in mind that it takes about two weeks from when you decide to put your house on the market to when it’s officially listed. You will need photographs, videos, and all marketing to be finished beforehand.

The bottom line is that the earlier you prepare for your home to be put on the market, the quicker the turnaround will be. A seasoned agent who does this multiple times a year has all the resources you need to get things done and avoid any potential glitches. In this case, experience makes the difference between a bumpy road and smooth sailing.

About Maryanne Elsaesser

Maryanne Elsaesser is known for individualized strategic planning and solving complex matters with calmness. Her clients say she is a "brilliant negotiator," tenacious, helpful, smart, creative, focused and has an amazing ability to read people. Consistent hard work puts Maryanne in the top 1% of Brokers in the country. Maryanne is well-versed in contractual elements and understands the intricacies of navigating the most profitable net gain in each transaction. She can be reached at 551.206.9264 or maryanne.elsaesser@gmail.com.

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