Selling your home may seem like a relatively simple process. You hire an agent, let them take pictures and show the house to prospective buyers, accept an offer, and then close… right?

In reality, there’s a lot that goes into the selling process; especially if you want to have a smooth home sale.

Matters are further complicated by hr fact that most sellers are also in the process of buying, closing, and moving into their new home.

To make the most of your time in the weeks or months leading up to your sale, I’ve put together a list of tips that you can use to get ahead of the curve, making your sale as problem-free and simple as possible.

Set deadlines

One of the most important lessons homeowners learn when they sell their first home is how quickly moving day creeps up on them. Make a list of all of the things you need to do before you hand over the keys, and set dates and reminders in your calendar for those tasks.

You can do this if you’re in the beginning stages of finding out when you want to sell by, or if you’re in the final stages of packing and moving your belongings to your new home. Regardless of where you are in the home sale process, you can always benefit from preparedness.

Find an agent

To get the ball rolling, reach out to a real estate agent sooner rather than later. They’ve been through this process several times before and will be able to give you advice that is catered to your specific situation.

Make sure your home is ready for sale

We all love our homes and value the time and effort we put into them. But, to get top dollar for your home and ensure a smooth sale, you’ll probably need to do some work.

This can include getting an inspection to ensure that the vital components of your home are working properly. Knowing this now can save you time and headaches if a buyer’s inspector finds an issue with your home that you weren’t aware of.

Similarly, you’ll want to make your home move-in ready by making small repairs, putting a fresh coat of paint, and cleaning up the exterior of the home.

Do your research when setting a price

Setting the price of a home is not a road you want to take shortcuts on. Research prices for comparable homes in your area, consider recent repairs you made, and value the home at what you think is a fair price.

However, don’t get too attached to one number and be prepared to adapt based on the offers you receive.

Have a moving day plan

Planning for moving day could be its own separate blog post. You’ll want to start packing things you don’t need early on in the process. Then, make arrangements for young children or pets, so that you can focus on the move rather than keeping track of everyone else.

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An open house represents a valuable opportunity for a home seller. If a seller plans ahead for an open house, he or she may boost the likelihood of hosting an unforgettable event that showcases the full beauty of a residence. As a result, this seller may receive multiple offers on his or her home as soon as the open house reaches its conclusion.

Believe it or not, preparing for an open house can be easy. Now, let's take a look at three tips to help a home seller get ready for an open house.

1. Perform Extensive Cleaning

A neat, tidy home is ideal, particularly for a home seller who wants to enjoy a fast, profitable home selling experience. Thus, if you allocate the necessary time and resources to clean your residence now, you may be better equipped than ever before to host a successful open house.

To clean your home's interior, you'll want to take a room-by-room approach. Wipe down each room's walls, mop or vacuum the floors and remove any debris.

Moreover, you should spend some time mowing the front lawn, trimming the hedges and performing assorted home exterior maintenance. And if you need extra help along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional landscaping company, either.

2. Declutter As Much As Possible

Clutter can make it tough for a homebuyer to envision what life may be like if he or she buys your residence. Therefore, you'll want to remove as much clutter as possible prior to an open house.

Oftentimes, it helps to rent a storage unit where you can store assorted clutter until you finalize a home sale. A storage unit generally provides a safe and affordable option for home sellers who want to safeguard various belongings over the course of several weeks or months.

On the other hand, it may be beneficial to sell excess items online or host a yard sale. Because if you can sell items that you no longer need, you can declutter your home and earn extra cash at the same time.

3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent

Hosting an open house may prove to be challenging, particularly for those who are trying to work alone. Fortunately, real estate agents are available who can help you take the guesswork out of getting ready for any open house, at any time.

A real estate agent is happy to provide comprehensive support at each stage of the home selling journey. As such, he or she will help you enhance your home and ensure it is open house-ready.

Usually, a real estate agent will offer personalized recommendations to help you prep your residence for an open house. This housing market professional also will promote your open house in the weeks and days leading up to the event. And when the open house ends, a real estate agent can provide honest, unbiased event feedback as well.

Host a successful open house – use the aforementioned tips, and you should have no trouble achieving the best-possible results during an open house.

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Do you have an old garden shed in your yard that's outlived its original purpose? Perhaps your gardening tools and supplies have moved on to a new shed or been relocated to a convenient spot in the corner of your garage. If so, you may be considering tearing down your old shed. After all, these structures can harbor rodents and become safety hazards as well as detract from the overall aesthetic of your outdoor living space — even the most well-kept yard and garden space won't provide good curb appeal if a dilapidated garden shed is a part of the picture. Here's how you can take yours from sloppy to sensational in just one weekend. 

First Things First

The first thing you need to do is walk around the outside of the structure to check for peeling paint, cracked windows and any other cosmetic issues that need attention. After that, enter the inside to ensure that it's stable and level so that you can fix any structural issues such as loose floorboards. Remove any residual gardening tools and supplies and sweep the place clean. You may have to get out the shop vac if debris has been allowed to accumulate for a long period of time. 

Repair and Restore 

The next step is to repair anything that needs it. Most old garden sheds are made from pretty sturdy stuff that holds up well, but the roof and the steps are likely to need some attention if the structure has been neglected for several years, so you might have to replace a few shingles and shore up the steps. Make it look new again with paint or siding, and add decorative elements like window boxes brimming with flowering plants. If you're going to use it as a backyard getaway or playhouse, provide carpeting, wall art and furnishings. Let your imagination lead the way, but be sure to keep the end result in line with the design of the rest of your home. 

Add Landscaping 

Add a finishing touch to your garden shed renovation project by installing foundation landscaping. Simply dig a trench around the structure, plant your plants, fill it in, and cover with an attractive mulching material such as colored pebbles or oyster shells. For old-school cottage garden charm, plant climbing roses or clematis. If your yard is more of a formal affair, choose something classic like boxwood.  To add balance and extend the space, consider adding a small patio with potted plants and a comfortable seating area. 

Once you finish giving your garden shed its makeover, don't forget to pour yourself a refreshing beverage to enjoy while you admire the results of your hard work. 

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