What The Property Brothers' Drew Scott Recommends Doing Before Listing Your Home

Drew Scott from HGTV's hit show "Property Brothers" often shares helpful tips for those looking to sell their homes. He revealed one particularly beneficial piece of advice in a YouTube video uploaded to the Drew & Jonathan YouTube channel. The HGTV star explained that you should make sure your home is move-in ready before you list it. According to Scott, buyers may be willing to offer more for a house that doesn't require any renovations or repairs. While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Realtor Blake Croutch revealed that she agrees with Scott's advice.

"When home shoppers see unfinished projects, they may be tempted to make lower-than-asking price offers because they feel the need to bargain," Croutch explained. "On the contrary, when they feel that a home is truly clean, complete, and homey, they may be so eager to place an offer that asking price is just their starting point. In an effort to spark multiple offers, you have to create a product that people want to compete for." If you are looking to list your property in the near future, follow this expert advice and make sure it is move-in ready to increase your home's value.

Making your home move-in ready is more than just completing repairs. You will need to ensure that the entire property is in perfect shape. According to Croutch, it is important to pay special attention to the outside of the home, too. "It starts at the curb; even before scheduling an appointment for a private viewing, buyers tend to do a sneaky drive-by of the home to 'feel it out' without the pressure," the expert explained while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "Making sure yards are tidy, windows sparkle, porch is clean, and lawn space is decluttered out front is paramount."

After you have perfected your home's exterior, move on to getting the interior move-in ready as well. What does this process look like? Croutch provided a brief explanation on what "move-in ready" actually means in real estate. "'Move-in-ready' means that the property is in such good condition, prospective buyers can start their lives in that home immediately, without needing any major repairs, renovations, or deep cleaning," she shared. This will help ensure that you receive the best offers possible for your home. Potential buyers do not have to account for the cost of repairs and upgrades if the home is move-in ready. Worrying about fixing things is the last thing most people want to do when moving into a new home.

In the aforementioned YouTube video, Scott also stressed the importance of cleaning and decluttering your home before listing it. Croutch is in favor of this recommendation as well. "You want to help buyers envision their own lives in that specific space, so try to minimize the amount of 'stuff' you have out," she revealed while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "Remember, shoppers are there to see your house, not your stuff. Decluttering and minimizing are both crucial steps in the listing process, and both should be accomplished well before showings begin to happen."

Croutch went on to share a fascinating statistic that further emphasizes the importance of decluttering your home before listing it. "98% of showings are scheduled only after viewing photos of a property online, so if your photos aren't stunning and minimal, buyers may opt to pass on an in-person showing," she revealed. Clearly, it's worth taking time to remove your excess belongings and tidy up the space before snapping photos for your online listings. Croutch also shared that homeowners should organize drawers, closets, and other secluded storage spots. Do not assume that potential buyers will not look there. In fact, they probably will. "Buyers will certainly open these nooks and crannies to help 'visualize' the storage space that a home offers," Croutch confirmed.