Last Updated on October 17, 2024
The real estate market in 2025 is poised to have more inventory and more buyers than we’ve seen recently. If you’re planning to sell your home in the new year, now’s the time to get ahead by crossing off these important to-do items.
Order a pre-inspection
Costing just $200-500 depending on the size of your home, a pre-inspection should be your first stop in terms of getting your home ready to sell.
Getting ahead of the game and scheduling a pre-inspection well before you put your home on the market comes with many pros; for one, you’ll know about the condition of your home ahead of time and have the opportunity to make repairs. Going through the process of a pre-inspection early also gives you piece of mind and will allow your listing to stand out, putting buyers at ease.
Schedule a home physical
If you’re thinking of selling in the near future, a home physical is in order. During a home physical, you’ll be given a home market analysis, which will give you an estimate of your home’s value and what you can expect to see in the real estate market in your area over the next 6-12 months.
Your realtor will also discuss home repairs and improvements that may increase the value of your home, giving you that extra boost to stand out among the competition. Interested in a home physical? Contact your realtor or fill out this form to get started today!
Clear clutter
The process of clearing clutter can be arduous, especially if you have lived in your home for many years. Get a head start by going room-by-room to clear clutter. While you don’t have to put away every single thing, you should approach the decor in your home from a minimalist design perspective for best results with buyers.
Did you know that storage space is one of the biggest things buyers worry about when buying a new home? Show off your home’s storage capability by organizing storage areas to leave at least 1/3 of the space open. Empty space in cabinets, closets and storage areas gives the illusion of ample space. Don’t forget about high junk zones like your garage, attic, and bonus room during this process.
While you’re at it, go ahead and start depersonalizing your space. Remember that future buyers will be walking through your home trying to envision what their life would be like in your space—the fewer family photos, the better.
Make minor repairs
Now’s the time to get on a contractor’s schedule to tackle problems you’ve been putting off for a while or issues that were uncovered during your pre-inspection. Skilled laborers are often in high demand with a lengthy backlog—don’t get caught not having the time to correct problems that would otherwise deter buyers.
Repaint in neutral colors
If the walls in your home are bathed in dark, muddy beige tones of the 90s, it’s time to freshen up your space to entice buyers and make your home appear more move-in-ready. Replace darker toned beige walls for fresh beige colors like Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan or Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground. Fresh greiges can also update your space, and you can sample Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray or Sherwin Williams Oyster White.
Want even more home selling tips? Here’s our complete guide to selling your home.
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Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Upstate SC, Highlands/Cashiers and Asheville/Mountain regions. Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the U.S., with 500 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states. For more information, visit www.allentate.com and www.howardhanna.com.
