Listing a home on the MLS is an essential and detailed process that needs to be done meticulously. A well-listed home casts a positive impact on several aspects of a home sale, such as the time it is sold in, the sale price, etc.

If you are planning to sell your home and want to list your home on MLS, then here is the checklist for you to consider.

MLS Listing: The Checklist

The following will help you know how to list on MLS

1. Prepare Property Details
The first and the most important part of keeping ready is the property details. It would be best to dedicate some time and effort to prepare your home details for listing carefully. The details need to be completed as much as possible. These things like building material, any upgrade you might have done to the property in the past, any repairs needed or done recently, appliance specifications, and a lot more. Some owners who go for flat fee MLS also include the details like their association, neighborhood, community, etc.

It is suggested that you must make a copy of these details:

● The location of the home
● How old is your home?
● What is the floor plan of your home, including the square foot details?
● How many rooms are there on the property, including bedroom, living room, storage room, basement, balcony, outdoor area, patio, deck, play area, number of bathrooms, and more?
● Additional facilities in the home, if any.
● Is there a garden in the home?
● Parking availability
● Your property is far from nearby facilities like big cities, hospitals, schools, colleges, shopping malls, etc.
● Proximity to the main road
● All the tax records of the property
● Details of the neighborhood

2. Cleaning and decluttering

Expand the chances of closing the deal at a better price point and early by ensuring this crucial checklist factor. One of the essential parts of preparing your home for listing is getting it cleaned well. It is highly recommended that you get a professional cleaning done where deep cleaning is conducted for both the interior of the home and the exterior washing.

For knowing how to list on MLS, you should also know that a homeowner must remove any clutter like broken materials, unused toys, old clothes, extra upholstery, books and magazines, dishes, etc. from the home. Decluttering is the first step to making your home look neat. You can ask your cleaners to dedicate special attention to some areas of your home and clean them more deeply.

Professional house cleaners leave no stone unturned in making your home spick-and-span. The cleaners perform a range of services such as sweeping and mopping the floors, emptying the garbage from home, high and low dusting, cleaning the windows and door along with the handles, light fixtures cleaning, window sills and ledges, countertops, and kitchen cabinets cleaning, cleaning and disinfecting the bathrooms, sink, bathtubs, shower panel, etc.

Cleaning enhances the presentation of your home and prepares it for staging. The professional stager performs services like rearranging the furniture, adding accessories, and more.

3. Get the pending repairs done.

The buyers prefer buying the homes in working condition and are well-maintained. So, this is the time to get all the repairs done, such as patching holes, filling dents, fixing leaky fixtures, electrical wiring, squeaky doors, broken hardware, and repairing or replacing non-working appliances.

You also advised painting your home because it appeals to most homebuyers. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral tone will garner more attention from homebuyers. Also, the appeal of your home is vital. Preparing flower beds to greet buyers, removing weeds and debris from the outdoor area, etc., creates a lasting first impression.

When buyers are touring your home, they may also focus on the light fixtures and lamps of the home. It is better to have plenty of light bulbs so that your home looks bright and illuminated. A dark home makes it look like a gloomy accommodation with low energy.

4. Photography

Now that your home is ready in and out, it is time to exhibit the beauty and grandeur of your home. It is recommended that you hire a professional photographer as they excel in clicking magnificent property photographs. They have the skills and experience to click images that help attract the buyer's attention.

The professional photographer aims to show your home in the best condition. Some tips to prepare your home before taking the photography appointment are:

● Mow the grass and trim the hedges in your garden before the photographer arrives.
● Organize accent garden furniture and other beautiful items in your front garden and backyard.
● Rinse your garage door with a hose.
● Remove cobwebs and sweep the entryway.
● Open the curtains and blinds and allow the natural light to enter as much as possible.

5. Write a Real estate description that sells!

As per the report, 93% of homebuyers shop online for properties. So, your real estate listing description matters a lot. A well-written listing showcases the property in its best light. But writing a compelling listing can be a bit challenging.

Firstly, ensure to real estate listing description with accurate details. If your house is lesser than 800 square feet, then using the words like expansive and spacious will be deceitful. If you claim that your home is in excellent condition and needs major repair, such as water damage, etc., this is untruthful. When potential buyer visits your home, they will be disappointed, but it will also create a bad reputation for you. Hence, do not set unrealistic expectations. Include the repairs needed in the list and offer suggestions on fixing them.

As per another study done on 24,000 homes by Zillow, it was found that they used red flag words in a home listing that affected the final selling price. Rather, include words that add value, such as luxurious, landscape, etc., if it genuinely applies.

Highlight unique features of the home in the listing, such as a fireplace in the bedroom, some artifact work in the entryway, and more. It will differentiate your listing, giving you an edge over the rest. Write the real estate listing description in complete sentences without using slang and inappropriate punctuation.

6. Set the price

The most important part of how to list on MLS –set the price of the property. Do not overprice your home, nor underprice it. Keep your price in line with the homes in your area.

7. Choose the day of listing.

As per the Redfin report of 2017, it was concluded that it is ideal for putting your home on the listing on a Wednesday or Thursday. Avoid Sunday as it does not attract buyers.

8. Choose listing agent

A listing agent will represent you and your home and work for your best interest. You can interview some agents and personally meet them to make the best decision. Hire the one based on experience, commission rate, and skills. Ask questions such as listing agreement, inclusions, how long the home will remain listed, the commission you need to pay for using the agent's services, whether you need to pay the buyer's agent commission, etc.

You can also choose to go for a flat fee MLS Listing. A state-licensed real estate broker offers the same. You can set up an "Entry Only" service on MLS. This is a lesser expensive option.