Real estate investing is fascinating and lucrative, but if one of your investments is your home, things can get complicated and emotionally intense. Indeed, selling your home is said to be one of the most stressful times in your life and no one wants to accept less than the asking price. So how can you make your home more likely to sell for the asking price?
Repairs & Cleaning
All fixtures and fittings should be in good order. Replace broken tiles and worn carpet. If you’ve got scratched wood floors, sand and re-finish them. Leaking taps, hobs that don’t ignite, wobbly door furniture, damp patches, etc can put buyers off, as it indicates a low level of maintenance. Don’t forget the exterior of your home, as well. The home exterior specialists at Jayhawk Exteriors estimate that “The return on investment for a home with a new roof is 67 percent, and as much as 40 percent of the home’s ‘curb appeal’ comes from the look of the roof.” In addition to repairs, everywhere needs to be scrupulously clean, which includes removing any lingering odours from pets or smoking. If you don’t have the time, hire a reputable cleaning firm to come in while the house is on the market; they are especially useful for de-greasing ovens (buyers do check). All mildew must go, even if it means regrouting.
Staging
Your house is up for interview, so it needs to dress accordingly. In a survey of 1000 estate agents, the number one piece of advice to sellers was to declutter. The plethora of children’s photos and china frog collection need to be removed, in favour of one or two personal touches, like a vase or studio glass bowl. Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living there, so it should be de-cluttered but not to the point of hotel blandness. If your home is crammed full of furniture, it would be worth putting some into storage, so rooms don’t look cramped.
Who Should Show the House?
Most sellers aren’t sure what and what not to say to potential buyers. Do you need to point out every imperfection? Should you regale them with tales of your New Year’s Eve parties? Having an estate agent show your home is a great option. They know what buyers are looking for and can spot potential for extending, knocking through, en-suites, etc. They will help present your property in its best light.
Redecorate
It’s always prudent to put fresh paint on the walls, keeping to neutral colours, so it looks clean and light. Kitchens and bathrooms see a lot of wear, so you may need to replace or revamp. You could paint your kitchen cupboards and add wooden worktops to make it look new. If the bathroom is looking dated, replace with an economical range but don’t stint on the taps, as they add that plush touch. You should recoup any expenditure, provided you don’t go overboard with floor-to-ceiling marble tiles, etc.
With a little elbow grease and moderate expenditure, you should be able to turn your property into the idea show home that will sell quickly and for the full amount.
