Preparing a Home for Sale Checklist: 7 Ways to Boost Value
Selling an apartment in New York City isn't just about listing it—it’s about positioning it to command top dollar. Here's your comprehensive preparing a home for sale checklist to get your home market-ready and irresistible to today’s discerning buyers.
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Move out before listing if you can! If you can’t, clear surfaces, minimize furniture, and remove personal items like family photos, memorabilia, or bold artwork. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in a space, and that can be difficult when it’s obvious this is already someone else’s apartment!
Pro Tip: Rent a storage unit or use off-site storage for extra furniture and seasonal items. Less really is more when it comes to perceived square footage.
2. Put Up a Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting is one of the easiest ways to boost value—and it’s always high on any Preparing a Home for Sale Checklist. If you’re only going to do one thing before listing, paint your apartment. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward making a space seem sleek, clean and ready to be moved into!
3. Make Minor Repairs & Improvements
There are a few easy and inexpensive fixes that all seller’s should do before listing or photographing their apartment. These small changes can give an older home new life and improve a listings appeal to discerning buyers
Spackle and paint over holes in the wall
Repair doors that don’t close properly
Re-grout or re-caulk bathrooms
Sand and re-finish hardwood floors
Add a fresh kitchen backsplash
Sand and re-paint kitchen cabinetry
Replace carpet with hardwood or LVP
While these updates are inexpensive, they can go a long way when it comes to improving the aesthetic appeal of a space.
Pro Tip: While small improvements can mean a big difference in selling price, major renovations often cost more than they are worth. Consult your real estate agent to understand what is worth shelling out for and what you can leave for the next owner.
4. Deep Clean Everything
Deep cleaning is often overlooked, but it’s a non-negotiable item on any serious Preparing a Home for Sale Checklist. Once you’ve done the improvements, hire professional cleaners to scrub every surface, especially kitchens and bathrooms. If the property has carpets, hire professional carpet cleaners - or better yet, replace them with hardwood!
Unpleasant odors from pets, smoke, or cooking can be deal-breakers, so make sure the apartment smells fresh and neutral.
5. Stage for Maximum Appeal
Home staging isn't just for luxury properties—studies show that staging helps homes sell faster and for more money. While virtual staging can make listing photos pop, they don’t do anything once the buyer has walked through the doors. Real furniture makes the space feel like a home and helps buyers envision themselves in the property.
Professional stagers will use art and furniture to make the best parts of your property stand out.
Highlight high ceilings with vertical artwork or tall plants
Use mirrors to make smaller spaces feel larger
Thoughtfully lay out even a small space for ergonomic living
Accentuate natural light with smart furniture and curtain choices
6. Improve Lighting
Not all NYC apartments get amazing natural light. If your unit is on the darker side, make sure you do what you can to make the space feel airy and light
Replace the lightbulbs with maximum wattage bulbs
Add floor or table lamps throughout the property
Clean windows (inside and outside) to maximize the natural light you do receive
Consider buying a grow light to replicate direct sunlight
7. Hire the Right Real Estate Agent
A seasoned agent can help you navigate every item on this preparing a home for sale checklist, from staging and repairs to pricing and presentation. They will know exactly which repairs will be worth your time money and effort and which contractors can get it done. They’ll know which stagers, cleaners and photographers to hire. In a competitive market, their insight can mean the difference between your property selling for above ask or languishing on the market.
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