Once you decide to sell your home, you might have questions about how to prepare it for listing and viewing by potential buyers. An agent who is a REALTOR® can guide you through this process. Here are some common considerations as you prepare your home to sell:
How do I find the right agent to sell my home?
Finding a real estate professional who you trust to communicate clearly and best represent you in this process is a crucial step in home selling. You should feel empowered to find and work with an agent who best fits your needs. Plan to interview a few possible agents if you don’t already have a trusted one. Read our blog of 10 questions to ask a potential agent to help you get started.
Maryland does not require you to work with a REALTOR® to buy or sell, but it is a decision that can have a big impact on your home journey. When you work with an agent who is a REALTOR®, you are working with a professional who is guided by ethical duties under the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, including the pledge to protect and promote the interests of their clients. Check out our blogs on what to know before you “For Sale By Owner,” buying and selling with and without a REALTOR®, and the value a seller’s agent can bring to your home journey.
Do I need to have my home inspected before putting it up for sale?
No, a pre-sale inspection is not required. However, an inspection can be used to identify potential issues in your home that you can consider repairing before showing your home to potential buyers and use as a differentiator for your property. If you choose to conduct a pre-sale inspection, an inspector will assess your home’s condition, including its structure, exterior, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, interiors, ventilation/insulation, and fireplaces. It may also include tests for problems that can affect human health like mold, radon gas, lead paint, and asbestos.
Sometimes buyers may also conduct their own inspection as a contingency in their purchase agreement. If the buyer’s inspection uncovers possible issues, that could open negotiations for repairs or require adjustments to your home’s asking price, depending upon the terms of your contract.
You should also talk to your agent about disclosure requirements for known defects if an inspection uncovers an issue.
What should I do if something in my home needs to be fixed or replaced soon?
If something in your home requires a significant repair—such as a roof, a system such as HVAC, or an appliance like a dishwasher or washer/dryer—you should determine how much the repair will cost, even if you do not plan to fix it before selling the home. These estimates will help sellers determine the costs that buyers might take into consideration when negotiating a purchase agreement.
Am I required to make any cosmetic updates to my home before putting it up for sale?
No, but you may want to clean the windows, carpets, lighting fixtures, and walls, and clear clutter before showing your home to potential buyers to help give the best first impression for potential buyers. Sellers may also look for ways to improve “curb appeal”—how the home looks to a potential buyer when viewed from the street—by updating aspects such as landscaping, the front entrance, and paint jobs. These steps may help improve the home’s appearance in photos, which can play an important role in attracting potential buyers.
Do I need to provide information about appliances that will stay in the home after it’s sold?
You should locate warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and any other appliances or systems that will stay in the house with a new buyer. It is recommended that you find these items now to avoid any lost paperwork causing an issue with a potential buyer when you reach the time of finalizing, or “closing,” the transaction.
What does it mean to stage my home?
Staging is the process of cleaning a home and temporarily filling it with furniture and decorations that may help buyers better see themselves living there. While it is not required, some sellers may work with a stager to focus on certain key areas of their home that are important to buyers. Some agents may also include staging in the services they provide you.
More Selling Resources
Talk to a real estate professional about what you may need to know to put you on the best path for your home journey! Your agent will know what disclosures (like the asbestos and Super Fund disclosures) and other considerations you may need to take into account based on the current market and current Maryland and local laws.
