With rising prices and increased demand, the Dallas real estate market favors sellers. If you’re planning to sell alongside other downtown Dallas luxury homes on the market, you’re in luck. You’ll have plenty of interest in your home once you list it—but if you want to maximize your price and ensure your house sells quickly, you should be strategic about preparing your Dallas real estate for the market.
In addition to working with an experienced real estate agent (who can help price and market your home effectively), follow the tips below to prepare your Dallas home for listing.
Deep clean
No matter how well you’ve kept up on housework, your home will need additional deep cleaning before listing and welcoming prospective buyers. Many of those preparing downtown Dallas luxury condos for sale choose to hire a professional cleaning company rather than tackle the task themselves. Look for a cleaning company specializing in preparing homes for listing — if you don’t know where to start, ask your local real estate agent for recommendations.
Remove clutter
It’s easy to accumulate clutter in your home—especially if you’ve lived in it for many years. Unfortunately, clutter can make homes appear smaller and cramped—two things no buyer wants. Before listing downtown Dallas real estate, owners need to go through each room and remove anything unnecessarily taking up counter, floor, or wall space. This can include extra clothes, books, papers, collectibles, and toiletries, as well as small appliances. You can put these items in a storage unit, so they’re out of sight when prospective buyers view your property.
Store away personal items
Potential buyers must be able to picture the home as their own. If you have family portraits on the walls, religious icons on the counters, or kids’ artwork on the fridge, it’ll be difficult for potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the space. Depersonalizing is an essential step when preparing your home for listing. Remove anything highly personal or unappealing to a wide range of buyers. Though it may make your space less homey, it’ll be worth it when it comes to increased buyer interest.
Focus on neutrals
Your downtown Dallas real estate agent will be the first to tell you that you can’t anticipate what tastes or preferences prospective buyers will have. They may or may not like a vibrant accent wall, trendy wallpaper, or nautical-themed bathroom. Your best bet is to make everything as neutral as possible to create a blank canvas for buyers. This allows potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the space. Before you list your property, neutralize your area with a fresh coat of paint. It’s suggested to use a warm gray or white for the kitchen, taupe for the bedroom, white for the living room, and pale blue for bathrooms.
Organize storage spaces
Buyers will peak into closets, basements, and attics in addition to your everyday living spaces. Though you may not make these spaces larger, you can always make them appear that way. Keep clutter to a minimum and make sure all storage spaces are organized. If you need to store belongings to minimize clutter, do so with a storage unit.
Make any necessary repairs
A scuffed front door, small hole in a wall, or cracked tile on the kitchen counter are each red flags to potential buyers that your property is not well-maintained. Before you list, walk through your property with your agent and a general contractor or handyman to determine what repairs—both large and small—need to be made before welcoming potential buyers. Now is also the time to replace lightbulbs—preferably soft white or daylight versions that will keep your home bright and cheery.
Remove signs of pets
A home with obvious signs of pets can make prospective buyers of downtown Dallas real estate feel the space is unclean or not carefully maintained. While many buyers will likely be pet owners themselves, they won’t take kindly to signs of yours. That’s why an essential step in preparing a home for listing is to find a temporary home for animals and remove their belongings such as beds, blankets, food bowls, and toys. If your home has any lingering odors or persistent pet stains, you may need to get a professional upholstery or carpet cleaning before listing—you may even need to add a fresh coat of paint to address smells.
Use a professional stager
You can knock out the majority of your to-do list in one simple step by hiring a professional to stage your home. A stager will ensure that furniture and decor appeal to prospective buyers and add finishing touches. Ask your downtown Dallas real estate agent for recommendations to find the perfect stager for your needs.
Interested in listing a Dallas home for sale?
If you’re ready to list Dallas real estate for sale, contact trusted Dallas real estate agent Bradford Coffman for expert local guidance throughout the prep, listing, and selling process.
