Are you looking for a side hustle that can bring in some extra cash? House flipping is a venture that anyone can take on with the right motivation and mindset.
Plus, it’s extremely profitable! Dave Ramsey reported that a flipped home grossed an average profit of more than $60,000 in 2019.
Want to get started flipping your first home but aren’t sure what the process involves? Read on to learn about 5 steps you can take to prepare a house for sale.
1) Neutralize Foul Odors
If you are buying an older house to fix up, there’s a chance it has an undesirable smell lingering in its corners.
The previous owner could have had pets, or the home could have endured fire damage. If you’re dealing with the latter, you’ll have to learn how to get smoke smell out of house.
In any case, you should do your best to neutralize foul orders. Any potential buyer will view the house with a more open mind in a pleasant-smelling environment.
To eliminate harsh smells, you can:
- Get your carpets professionally cleaned
- Clean out your HVAC system to remove stubborn particles
- Wash solid surfaces like ceilings and walls with a solution of white vinegar, dish soap, and water
- Repaint your walls (paint with an odor-blocking primer can remove persistent odors)
2) Address Bumps & Cracks in the Driveway & Sidewalk
Jagged, uneven driveways and sidewalks aren’t just an eyesore. They can also:
- Pose a safety risk
- Cause damage to vehicles
- Result in increased mold growth
- Get worse over time and present structural issues on your property
Bumps and cracks on your property are big turn-offs for buyers. If you don’t mind a little DIY handy work, you can address minor bumps and cracks on your own.
For larger deformities, you should contact a professional who can identify the issue and make the necessary repairs. Find a trustworthy contractor on a site like HomeAdvisor to get the job done.
3) Let Light In
Trust us: “The lighter, the better” will be your motto when it comes to putting a home on the market!
Throw out damaged or dingy window coverings and replace them with lightweight curtains or blinds. Make sure these new additions open easily and won’t block the sun’s rays from highlighting the inside of your residence to potential buyers.
4) Gather Warranties
When you buy a house, it may come with appliances. Gather the warranties for these products and decide which appliances you’re going to include in your home sale. Knowing this information ahead of time will help you stay organized, and your potential buyers will appreciate it.
5) Look Up Your House’s Address Online
As some parting advice, we will offer you a tip you can follow even if you’re selling the most pristine home in the world: ensure that any online listings for your property are up to date.
You may try to sell your home through more traditional methods like a yard sign, neighbor referrals, or a real estate agent.
However, you should know that a lot of home searches take place online. According to a 2018 survey by the National Association of Realtors, over 50% of home buyers found the residence they purchased through the Internet.
Start with a simple Google search of your house’s address. Take note of what comes up. If you observe incorrect details, contact the appropriate website to have them correct these mistakes. For example, Zillow may have your 4-bedroom home listed as a 3-bedroom one. Don’t allow a correctable error like this to deter potential buyers.
Bottom Line
Every house will require different work, but the five above steps are reliable measures you can take to make a home market-ready!
Photo by Jacques Bopp on Unsplash