THINKING OF PUTTING YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET? CONSIDER THIS.......
With nearly twice as many homes on the market this year as compared to this time last year, it’s more important than ever to make home repairs. Spiff up the kitchen and bathrooms, paint walls with neutral colors, spruce up the yard, and consider other improvements.
In an uncertain market, a little extra work can mean not only a smoother sale or a higher listing price, but whether sellers get to the closing table at all.
Some of the most effective improvements aren’t very expensive. If you are thinking of putting your home on the market consider these five areas of improvements.
1. First Impressions
You want to make a good impression from the moment potential buyers pull up to the house. First glimpse will include the home’s exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.
2. Neutralize and de-clutter
When it comes to preparing a home’s interior, go with neutral colors. Neutral colors including beige and ivory have the added advantage of making a room appear larger.
Removing the home’s clutter is also extremely important. Consider renting a storage unit to put some of your things in until you move or have a garage sell to get rid of the things you don’t need or use. Again, the added advantage is the rooms look bigger.
Beyond that, do some spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, shine the hardwoods, clean the cabinetry, etc.
3. Consider replacement projects
You might want to think about getting a home inspection before listing, one is going to be done either way, why not take care of those repairs in advance instead of it becoming another bargaining tool for the buyer.
4. Kitchen and bathrooms updating.
Buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms. If kitchen cabinets are structurally sound but the exterior looks old and dated, it might be worth it to reface them. If counters are old, replacing them can add new life to the room. If the bathtub in the bathroom is chipped or damage, considering replacing it.
5. Warranty Coverage and documentation
A home warranty can be an advantage to both the seller and the buyer. Most warranties cover the seller while the home is being marketed. This saves the seller from unexpected breakdowns of covered appliances, plumbing, heating and electrical. It provides a peace of mind to the buyer should the buyer run into those same unexpected repairs after closing.
If you’ve done replacement projects in the past few years, find the documentation to prove it. And if any of those projects cut energy cost make that known as well.