Folks about to sell their homes often go into a renovating frenzy only to find that they spent more on refurbishing their homes than they realized in terms of value. To crown it all, new home buyers invariably decide they’d like a few changes. And there goes all the hard work and investment that went into making the house for sale look picture perfect. So, how can you prepare your home in such a way that you’ll fetch a better price? Turns out the answers aren’t always obvious!
1. Offer a Deal That’s Certified Honest
Have you ever bought a house only to find that there are structural issues that were neatly covered up before you accepted the deal? A lot of people have. Home inspectors in Syracuse NY say they’ve seen it all – and they’re telling folks to call for home inspections before they sign a purchase agreement. But what if you, as a seller, offer a complete home inspection report?
The message is that you’re offering an honest deal without cover ups and with little chance of buyers’ regret. It helps prospective buyers to make a quick and worry-free buyers’ decision. And if that inspection uncovers some minor faults, you can decide whether to address them yourself or be frank about what it might cost your buyer to mend. That’s worth gold – and it should help you to offer your home for sale at a better price and close the sale faster.
2. Freshen Things up, but Don’t go Overboard
As previously mentioned, most home buyers will ring the changes, even undoing fresh remodels, before moving into a newly purchased home. On top of that, you won’t get back what you spent on major remodelling projects. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that sellers only recover in the region of 66 percent of the cost of most remodelling projects in increased sale value.
At the same time, realtors all agree that a fresh, move-in-ready look helps to get a house sold more easily. So, if you’re eager to sell fast and don’t mind losing some money in real terms, by all means, pile in and get some of the most obvious flaws attended to. But the bigger the budget, the more you’ll lose, so stick to lower-cost projects with higher visual impact. A fresh coat of paint, for example, goes a long way towards making your home look more welcoming to buyers.
3. Be Prepared for Viewings
Getting a good price for your home means making a good impression at viewings. This doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise. It’s just a matter of ensuring that the home looks like it could be “theirs” instead of being “yours,” which is what it currently is. Number one on the list is clearing away clutter and getting your home sparkling clean. Remember that impressions begin the minute they see your home from the outside, so ensure that the yard is neat and consider adding a few appealing, but low-cost touches like flowers in garden beds. A little exterior charm goes a long way – many prospective buyers will take one look at a home from outside and either come in to look further, or tell the realtor to move on. Remember, the more viewings, the better the chance of getting the price you wanted instead of having to settle for a lower offer.
It’s Easier Than You Thought it Would Be
There are certainly projects that will increase the price tag on your home, but since you’re likely to end up covering around 40 percent of that cost yourself, they may not be worth it. Create a good impression and show buyers they’re getting an honest deal. The latter is something many sellers won’t do, so it’s a great way to get a competitive edge. Looking for a new home yourself? Use these tips to determine whether it’s a risky purchase or a place you’ll love calling home.