You need to know how to get the most for your home when you go to sell. Here is what the guys with the little clipboards and sharp pencils advise.
It’s not as easy determining the real value of property today. Someone has to do it, and that someone is the appraiser.
Appraisers are the ones who see first hand, those things that cause a house to sell for the greatest amount. Insight as to what they are looking for can be useful when preparing your house for sale.
Not long ago, all that was needed to sell a house was for a real estate agent to put a sign in the yard, post the listing on the MLS, and mail out a little postcard. Not so today. Home owners are finding it necessary to fix that squeaky door, or replaced that fogged window.
I’m a big believer in cosmetic fixes and touchups. They can help a home sell a faster and include:
Paint and carpeting. A fresh coat of paint (preferably white) inside and out and new floor coverings give the home the look and smell of “new.” With the facelift treatment, gone are the wrinkles of cracking paint, the sags of aging wallpaper and the dark age spots of stains and spills. When in doubt, nothing works better than a fresh coat of white paint.
Curb Appeal. There is a saying I had when I used to work in the corporate world, “the first impression is the last impression.” How your home looks when a real estate agent pulls up to your home with a buyer is the first impression they get. The idea is to make that first impression one that invites visitors inside for a better look. At least work on the front yard. The backyard can wait, if necessary. Improve the landscaping, fix cracks and stains in the driveway and remove extraneous clutter.
Clean the house. Seems like a no-brainer but let me tell you, to some people, it’s a “no brain” situation. Vacuum, scrub counters and floors, wash windows, etc. Also clear the clutter. Put stuff in storage. It is hard for a buyer of your home to appreciate a walk-in-closet that they can’t “walk-in.” Less is more when it comes to making a small house seem larger.
If you are just thinking of selling but are not ready now, the right improvements are important and they include:
· Adding square footage – Appraisers I know all say an addition provides increased value to a home over most other improvements. There is no guaranty a buyer will pay the additional cost of the work in terms of a higher price, you likely will attract more buyers.
· The “Man Cave” – All that clutter you cleared? Prospective buyers will want to put their “stuff” right back in there. Buyers also want a clean place for their cars. Add, expand or improve your garage and you’ll also increase the value of your home.
· Think 5 to 7 – When you buy, think that you most likely will be looking to sell 5 to 7 years from today. That’s an average for this area. Think location. The best locations sell faster. Location relative to good schools, jobs, shopping and attractions and away from crime, heavy traffic, business, commercial or industrial locations helps homes sell faster and for more. Just because you like the house, consider you might have “unique” tastes. Buy a home in a good location. Then you’ll have a home to sell in good condition, in a good location. Location rules. Remember that!
In this market, you need everything working for you to sell your home quickly and for top dollar. Think through your home improvement decisions strategically, especially if you’re considering selling a home in the next few years. If you’d like some advice or help, call me. I have a list of 100 service professionals that can advise you every step of the way.
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