Sellers are always asking their agents how to add value to their homes. They want to know the quick fixes that bring more money. So, agents will walk through the home, room by room, pointing out the things that need to be improved, replaced or simply taken out of the home.
Sellers should think of themselves as a “Flipper”-
An investor makes the right changes in a home to net the most possible money. What can they do to the home to make it perfect? Walk through the home and look for what can be done from the floors to the ceilings and the roof to the yard. Go to new homes that are priced 50% more than yours. Take note of the materials, textures and colors they use.
Great street appeal.
Make sure your home looks like a million bucks from across the street. Clean up the landscaping, paint the exterior, clean the roof, driveway and walkways. A nice touch is to paint the front door and replace the door mat.
A functional floor plan.
Buyers do not want to feel boxed in when they enter or walk through the home. Quite often there is a wall that can be taken out, a door removed, or widen an opening to allow easy flow from room to room. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.
Uncluttered, clean, and staged for sale.
One thing I have learned is that we can all remove 30% of what we have in closets, drawers, garage, and the furniture. After that, we still have more than we need. Does the furniture in the room make it feel cramped? Is your comfy sofa really too big for the space? Let a stager give ideas and answers.
Move in condition.
Buyers really want to walk into a home that feels like home. No projects and full disclosure about the home and the area. The dinner table is set just waiting for their friends to come to dinner. I’ve not met the buyer that walks away from a perfectly wonderful home that fits their needs without the fear of losing the home to another buyer.
I always look for what my sellers can do to give the Buyer “Warm Fuzzies”. First you must think like a Buyer. What are most Buyers looking for? Get a pre-List inspection to find all the structural defect of the property … and fix them. If the carpet is worn replace it. If the walls need painting, paint them. You will be glad you did.
A good value in their price range.
What does this mean. If your home is worth $750,000 in perfect condition the buyer will discount the price by at least twice the cost to make the repairs or material replacements to the home. As a Seller, this might make no sense. But as a Buyer, the cost to make the improvements is an unknown. Another big psychological driver for the reduced price is “The Seller let these things go, I wonder what else is wrong with the home.
So, don’t leave money on the table.
Do all you can to give the Buyer “warm fuzzies”. The good Buyers, paying top dollars for homes, will notice and reward you. Everything I mentioned above will ensure a quick sale at full market value or even more money.
So, contact a strong knowledgeable agent today and put your plan together to net the most money from the sale of your home.
Have you been thinking about a move … it may be time to start planning? See my seller and buyer guides. They are morphed to meet the demands of the current market. When the time is right. Let’s get together to discuss your plans, needs and expectations.
Not all agents are REALTORS®. We are held to a higher standard. Beyond the education, we are held accountable to the Code of Ethics. Always ask, are you a REALTOR®?