Wondering where to start? This checklist will walk you through the tasks that need to be done.
1. Take a fresh look at your mobile home.
Pretend you’re an interested buyer. Step outside your home and take a minute to look at it carefully. What do you notice first? How is your curb appeal? Jot down things that are in disrepair or could be improved. Do the same for the inside. What is your first impression when you open the front door? Scan the rooms and see where your eyes head first. Make a note of holes, cracks, and other signs of wear and tear.
If you’ve grown too accustomed to your mobile home’s appearance, you might ask a trusted friend to give their opinion.
2. Complete necessary repairs.
Working through the list you just made, go ahead and fix the items that are in disrepair. Fix leaky faucets and replace broken siding.
When you calculated the value of your mobile home, you probably had an inspection completed. (If not, it’s a good idea to do this before you sell. It may even be a requirement.) The inspection may have listed off some areas that need improvement. Consider fixing these to increase the value of your mobile home and make it more attractive to interested buyers.
3. Organize your things.
Even though it’s still your home (for the time being), potential buyers will be able to imagine making it theirs if they can visualize their belongings in it.
- Sort through your personal items and declutter.
- Sell or donate anything you wouldn’t want to take with you to your new home.
- Put items you don’t need out of sight.
- Throw out trash and tidy things up.
Even though it takes time, decluttering will make moving day that much easier.
4. Make cosmetic improvements.
Your mobile home may not have needed many repairs, but making cosmetic improvements can help give buyers a good first impression. Consider completing some or all of the following:
- Touch up marks on the floors and baseboards.
- Make sure outlet covers aren’t cracked or discolored.
- Change out handles and knobs. You don’t have to choose anything expensive, just make sure they’re up-to-date and not too conspicuous.
- Replace lightbulbs. Not only do you want to make sure that all the lights are working, but it’s also important to create the right effect with your lighting. A welcoming ambiance can be the deciding factor for an on-the-fence buyer. This lighting guide can help you choose the right bulbs and wattage for different areas of your home.
5. Create a blank canvas.
Like we already mentioned, buyers want to envision your mobile home becoming their home. Give them a blank canvas that will encourage their imagination to run wild. Consider painting walls a neutral color or give them a fresh coat of paint if they’re already neutral. Remove artwork from the walls. And minimize your knick-knacks. It may be hard to remove your personality from your own home, but it can speed up the sale and get you into your new home that much faster!
6. Make your mobile home spotless.
Undoubtedly, your home is clean enough to live in, but we suggest you give everything a thorough going-over before you start showing it to potential buyers. We’ve probably all had the experience of walking into a hotel room and seeing the dirt right away. In our own homes, the same dust or stain might not be a big deal, but in another setting it becomes intolerable. The same could be true for interested buyers. When having to choose between properties, a spotless mobile home that is move-in ready has a major advantage over one that looks like it needs a lot of work.
7. Add some character.
While you want your home to be a “blank canvas,” you also want it to be memorable. Adding a little bit of tasteful character to your home can help it stick in the minds of interested parties. A painted door or a fresh vase of flowers become “landmarks” that distinguish your mobile home from the others on the market.
Make your mobile home ready to sell!
It may seem like there’s a lot to do before you can even start showing your home, but working through this checklist will pay off in the end. Not only are you likely to make the sale faster, preparing your home in advance can also help you get the price you’re looking for! Now all you need to do is find your new mobile home!
