What Should You Do Before Selling Your House?

If you’re thinking about selling your house in Spain, you’re probably wondering how to achieve the best price in the shortest possible timeframe. And if you haven’t started yet, now’s the time! To help you out, we’ve put together the most important steps you’ll need to take before selling your house.

Before preparing your property for sale, the first step is to prepare yourself. Whether you’ve lived in the house for many years or inherited it from family, the emotional side of selling a home is something you shouldn’t overlook. Particularly because your emotions can sometimes be counterproductive in achieving a sale. The first step is to emotionally detach yourself from the property, and start to look at it as a product to sell rather than a place filled with memories. This might sound a bit harsh, but it’s better to deal with these inevitable emotions sooner rather than later. Once you’ve adjusted your mindset, the rest of the process will be much easier.

Don’t worry, you haven’t skipped any steps, it really is time to start packing. Over the years, we all accumulate clutter, and sometimes we can end up with a case of clutter blindness. There are countless reasons why it’s a good idea to clear out as much unnecessary stuff as possible before putting your house on the market. But perhaps the most effective reason is this: did you know that potential buyers often check inside wardrobes? Jokes aside, buyers find it difficult to picture themselves living in a house filled with someone else’s personal belongings. We recommend renting a storage unit and starting by packing away all personal photos and keepsakes. Store them safely – you’ll want them to decorate your new home! Seasonal clothes, the fancy dinnerware you only use at Christmas, and anything you don’t use daily should also go into storage. This won’t just help with the next steps – once the sale is completed, the moving process will already be half way there!

Many people wonder if they should renovate their house before selling it. The answer is both yes and no. We recommend giving your home a “makeover” – fixing minor issues, painting walls in neutral tones, and giving the property a light makeover. It’s not recommended to do major renovations, as you’re unlikely to make back the full investment in the sale price. There are plenty of ways to breathe new life into a space without spending a fortune.

That said, you are legally required to fix—or at least disclose—any hidden defects before selling. For example, concealed damp problems or structural issues that aren’t immediately visible. Failing to do so could make you liable for repair costs for up to six months after the sale, as stated in Article 1484 of the Código Civil Also, keep your receipts—some costs may be tax-deductible against capital gains. If you’re unsure which improvements are worth investing in, we recommend hiring a local home staging professional and asking about their services.

Next it’s time for a deep clean—windows, inside cupboards, the oven, fridge, carpets and upholstery, toilets, tiles, door frames, even ceiling lights. Everything needs to be spotless, so if you decide to hire a professional cleaning service, we won’t judge!

Finally, the last step before listing your home for sale is home staging and professional photography. If you’re not sure what home staging is, check out our other articles for an in-depth explanation. But in short, it’s a proven real estate marketing technique that uses emotional appeal to enhance a property’s selling potential. It’s an increasingly popular service, and the results speak for themselves.

Before putting your house on the market, it’s essential to ensure it looks its absolute best. It might seem like a lot of steps, but the good news is that you don’t have to do it all alone. Home staging professionals can guide you through the process, making the experience of selling your home as stress-free as possible.