So you’ve inherited a property. Thankfully, the housing market is extremely favorable for sellers, so there couldn’t be a better time to sell if your main concern is the closing price. Just because the real estate market is primed for sellers, however, doesn’t mean you should neglect important maintenance tasks prior to nailing that ‘For Sale’ sign on the front lawn.

The home sale process can be daunting, especially when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. To help you through the process, here are four tips to get started!

Declutter

According to top real estate agents, decluttering is one of the most essential tasks to undertake prior to selling. Buyers want spacious properties, but even large properties can appear cramped if there are too many furniture pieces, personal mementos, decorations, and general clutter around the property. 

Make your home feel as roomy as possible by getting rid of this excess clutter. When it comes to inherited properties, oftentimes family members aren’t sure what to do with the majority of the home’s possession. You can sell items individually on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craiglist if you want to do the work yourself, or reach out to professional estate sale companies to handle the grunt work. 

Depersonalize 

When a buyer comes to view your property, they’ll want to picture themselves living there. This means you’ll need to get rid of the bowling trophies hung on the wall, artwork tapped to the fridge, and family photos scattered along the walls. Too many personal mementos and sentimental keepsakes only remind buyers that the property belongs to you rather than encourage them to picture themselves in the property.

This doesn’t mean you should remove all personal items. Some sentimentality allows the property to feel more like a home and still allows the new buyers to imagine what they could do with the space. 

Boost curb appeal

First impressions are always important — especially in the real estate industry. Most real estate agents would attest to the importance of giving buyers an attractive welcome if you want to sell your home quickly.

Focus on the front of your property. This is your buyer’s first look at your home, so it’ll be the most crucial area for you to spruce. Thankfully, curb appeal is easy on a tight budget. Simple lawn maintenance and upkeep are most important. Give your lawn a mow, plant some colorful flowers in the garden, paint the front door, and buy some prominent house numbers. While simple, these tasks will encourage plenty of buyer attention to your home. 

Stick to cosmetic interior upgrades

When you inherit a home, sometimes you’re inheriting some pretty questionable decor choices. While the deceased owners may have loved their shag carpets and popcorn ceilings, these are the sort of areas that need to be modernized prior to selling.

Just don’t think too big. You can skip huge renovation projects and just think of surface-level cosmetic upgrades. Give the walls a fresh coat of paint, replace carpeting with vinyl floors, and depersonalize the decor. Most of these tasks you can handle without professional help and without breaking the bank. 

If you’re not sure where else updates are needed, find a real estate agent who specializes in probate sales for the best advice!