Home Selling

Preparing Your Home

Why Is Preparing Your Home So Important? First put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Assume two homes are virtually identical. They are both the same price and in the same neighborhood. Except, one of them is un-kept. Which one will you buy? If you chose the un-kept one because it was 3 blocks closer to work, how much less would you be willing to offer because you know you will have to spend time and money to freshen it up? There can be a thin line between upkeep and repair – condition and cleanliness, but sharp homes usually sell faster and for more money.

Remember you are competing with other neighbors who are also trying to sell their homes. Every move you make either benefits you – or benefits your competing neighbor. Comment to me with your questions and I’ll try to answer all of them. Click here to learn the details.

Let’s look at some specific questions sent in by DearMonty readers from across the country. Read more Q&A articles about the “Preparing Your Home” stage of the Home Selling process:

  1. Is selling to a home flipper a good idea?

    Reader Question: We are planning to sell our home and asked a handyman to give us an estimate of the costs to fix several issues that are likely to cause a buyer to offer less money. He did provide us with a detailed estimate of the cost and also offered to buy our home as […]

  2. How should I prepare my home for sale?

    Reader Question: Monty, we are getting our house ready to put on the market. The advice from different agents has generated a variety of contrasting opinions about how to prepare the house for showings. We feel like two of the agents are asking for way more tasks than is necessary. Do you have a specific […]

  3. Should I leave the refrigerator?

    Reader Question: I am selling my deceased parents home. Should I dispose of items such as the refrigerator, chest freezer and professionally installed gas heating stove before showing the home? Is it better if they would be included in the sale? Mike T. Monty’s Answer: Hello Mike, and thanks for your question. The information provided is not […]

  4. Should I remodel the master bath?

    Reader Question: We are about to remodel the upstairs bathroom, which is quite small (9 feet x 6 feet). We currently have a 30-inch shower stall, 30-inch by 19-inch vanity, toilet and a small linen closet. There is also an entry door in the hallway for all bedrooms to access the bathroom and a private entry door […]

  5. What should I know about the well and septic systems?

    Problems with your well and septic systems? It is no secret that problems with a well and septic systems can result in much inconvenience, danger, and expense. Fortunately, prior knowledge can help reduce or avoid these common problems. This article is designed to provide you with the proper information and assist rural buyers and sellers […]