If you’d like to get the highest price for your home in the shortest amount of time, there a few steps to take before listing it. Some of these steps may take a little time and money up front, but the better offers you will receive should more than make up for that. Here are 5 tips for how to get your home ready to sell in 2022.

1.      Know Your Home’s Worth – work with a local Realtor to get a true idea of what your home is likely to sell for today. Market conditions change slowly, but what you paid for it, what you owe on it, and how many memories you have in it don’t impact its current market value. Buyers will be looking at how much other homes in the area sold for recently to determine the worth of your home.

2.      Do the Right Repairs – think like a buyer as you consider which repairs are needed. Buyers will walk through the property looking for any reason to offer you less money for your home. Make the repairs that will bring the most value and increase buyer confidence. Bathroom and kitchen repairs are essential! No one wants to buy a home with plumbing issues. Your Realtor can help advise as to which repairs will bring the highest return.

3.      Keep it Clean – a clean house is a well-maintained house, so a thorough deep cleaning is a must. Hire a professional if you need to. Be sure to clean baseboards, the tops of ceiling fans, windows and window treatments, and have any carpet shampooed. If you have pets, wash any bedding they use to help eliminate pet odor from the home. Clean the garage and other outbuildings so buyers can picture themselves using the space as they wish.

4.      Add Curb Appeal – you might like your slightly overgrown bushes, but buyers will see them as a sign of disrepair. Before listing, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and make sure any exterior lighting is bright and functional. Consider washing your siding and touch up any flaked or cracking paint. Pro tip: replace or clean your house numbers and make sure they are easy to see from the street for an instant house facelift.

5.      Declutter Your Home – sure, all that furniture is functional, but buyers will see it as cluttered and it makes the house appear smaller. Rent a storage unit and move out all but the most essential pieces of furniture. If your shelves are full of knickknacks, put those away too. Storage space is important, so either empty or reduce my half the items in closets and cupboards. Remove family photos as well. The idea is to provide a clean slate for buyers to imagine their own items in.

Working with the right real estate agent can make a world of difference in the home selling process. An agent who knows the local market can help you walk through each of the tips above and ensure that when you list, your home is ready to bring the highest possible return. Currently, homes in Klamath Falls are only on the market for an average of 12 days. Having your home ready to sell when it’s listed allows you to negotiate quickly and with confidence.