Home Seller’s Guide
An 11-step checklist to get your Chattanooga or North Georgia home ready for the market.
The short version: choose an agent you trust, boost curb appeal, declutter and depersonalize, handle small repairs and paint, clean thoroughly, protect your valuables, and consider a pre-listing inspection, an appraisal, or a stager.
Your home-selling checklist
Selling a home is a lot more than putting a “For Sale” sign on the lawn or posting photos on social media. Before you list, go through this checklist.
Find a real estate agent
Selling on your own to save on commission can look appealing, but working with a realtor usually helps with pricing, marketing, and avoiding legal issues. It is okay to interview several agents before picking the right one. You should trust and feel comfortable with the agent you choose.
Freshen up your curb appeal
Buyers tend to judge a book by its cover, so exterior updates matter: plant flowers, repaint the front door, and pressure wash your home and sidewalks. If you are unsure how to improve curb appeal, ask your agent how others in your area have improved their exteriors before listing. Ask before you start work, because some improvements may not help your sale and could be costly.
Unclutter your home
When it comes to selling, less is more. Your house will look more welcoming to buyers and packing will be easier when the time comes. The more space buyers have to move around, the better.
Depersonalize your home
Remove family photos, diplomas, and anything that tells buyers who you are. The goal is a blank canvas where buyers can picture themselves living there with their own belongings.
Repaint walls
Consider painting your walls a neutral color and repair drywall nicks, scuffs, and holes. Neutral colors keep your personal style from getting in the way of a buyer’s own lifestyle preferences.
Touch up scuff marks
Clean walls and floors where scuff marks have built up. The cleaner the house looks, the newer it feels to the buyer.
Fix loose handles
Tighten any loose door, cabinet, and drawer handles.
Get rid of unpleasant smells
You may have a “blind” nose, so ask a trusted friend or relative whether your home smells musty or unpleasant. Ask your agent about odor-reduction options, such as ozone treatment, before you list.
Clean
Clean, clean, clean. If you are not the cleaning type, consider hiring a professional once repairs are finished. Your home will be shown multiple times during the listing, sometimes several times a day, so you always want it neat and tidy.
Hide valuables
Never leave valuables or prescriptions out when your home is listed. Also make sure visitors do not learn about upcoming events you plan to attend, such as parties, vacations, or theater times, so they do not know when your home will be unattended for long periods.
Consider these extras
- A home inspection before listing. It gives you insight into repairs or issues that may come up later in a buyer’s inspection period.
- An appraisal before listing. It tells you what your home is worth. A realtor can prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to suggest a listing price, but be cautious: most realtors are not appraisers.
- A professional stager to stage your home for showings.
Selling a home: common questions
Should I sell my home on my own or use a realtor?
Selling on your own can save the commission, but a realtor helps with pricing, marketing, negotiation, and the legal paperwork. It is also fine to interview several agents before choosing one, because you should trust and feel comfortable with the agent you pick.
What should I do to get my house ready to sell?
Start with curb appeal, declutter, depersonalize, repaint in neutral colors, fix small repairs like scuffs and loose handles, deal with odors, and clean thoroughly. The checklist on this page walks through each step.
Should I get a home inspection before I list?
It is optional, but a pre-listing inspection shows you what repairs or issues could come up later during a buyer’s inspection period, so you can plan for them.
How do I find out what my home is worth?
An appraisal tells you what your home is worth before you list it. A realtor can also prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to suggest a listing price, but a CMA is not an appraisal.
Is it worth hiring a stager?
A professional stager can help buyers picture themselves in the home. It is one of the options worth considering before you list; ask your agent whether it makes sense for your property and price range.
Thinking about selling? Contact Dave or call (423) 400-2858.