It’s official. A new year has begun. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to make a resolution—which could mean anything from a better diet to more productive work habits. While these goals are definitely worthwhile, we’d like to make another suggestion for anyone who will be selling their home this year. Why not resolve to make your sale as easy, efficient, and successful as possible?

It’s a tall order. Luckily, we’ve broken it down into smaller steps to help you start taking action. With that in mind, here are five resolutions every home seller should stick to in the new year…

1) Set a timeline

When would you like to move into your next home? We all know that life can be hectic, and even small transitions don’t always go according to plan. When it comes to selling one property and moving into another, the logistics involved can seriously prolong the process.

While planning to sell your home by a particular date can be tricky (after all, there are factors outside of your control), having a general idea of when you’d like to reach major milestones can help you work backwards. If you hope to move into your new living space before the 2020 holiday season, when is the absolute latest you should you be ready to list? The right agent can use their years of experience to help you set a loose timeline that will work for you.

2) One word: declutter

Every homeowner, no matter how organized, is bound to accumulate some clutter. And most of us seriously underestimate how long it will take to tackle it. If you’re planning to sell your home this year, you should start paring down your belongings as early as possible.

Remember that there are many steps in the process. Start by sorting your possessions into three categories: things you want to keep, items you can put in storage, and those you’re ready to get rid of. Then you’ll need to think about whether to have a garage sale, where to donate your “giveaway” items, where to buy storage bins and organizers…you get the picture.

3) Get your documents together

When you sell your home, there’s a whole lot of paperwork involved. We’re not just talking about the new contracts that have to be drawn up. You’ll also need to provide the buyer with a big stack of preexisting documentation. Your original sales agreement and home appraisal, records of any major repairs, relevant insurance—these are just a few of the things you should have ready.

The most organized among us may have all of these items labeled in a filing cabinet. But for most homeowners, this rarely-consulted paperwork can get lost in the day-to-day shuffle. That’s why we suggest finding and setting aside all of the documents you’ll need for your home sale early on!

4) Perform strategic improvements

Some sellers go overboard with home preparations. The truth is, completely renovating your kitchen probably won’t pay off as much as you think it will. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t improve your property before putting it on the market!

We suggest being strategic. Replacing the siding on your home can provide a high return, as can a minor bathroom remodel. Then there’s the basic repairs and maintenance you’ve been meaning to get around to—like fixing drafty windows, or having your furnace serviced. Get started on these tasks once you know you’re planning to sell, and ask a trustworthy agent for advice if you need it!

5) Find the right real estate agent

If you know you’re going to be selling in the new year, the time to start your search for a qualified real estate agent is now. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few candidates, get in touch to begin setting up interviews.

We suggest making a list of questions to determine which agent is right for you. For each agent, be sure to ask how well they know your neighbourhood, what their selling track record looks like, and how they plan to market your property. Always look at their past marketing material to ensure that they’re polished and professional looking!

There’s a lot more to selling a home than setting a price and waiting for the offers to roll in. The process entails a lot of planning and plenty of hard work—which is why getting started early is key. If you’re planning to put your property on the market this year, start by finding an agent who can make it simpler at every step!

Ready to learn more about selling your home—and how we can help you through the selling process? Reach out to get started today!