No matter what the market, having your home ready and looking its best when you put it on the market will help it sell faster. But how do you know where to invest your time and money, and when to leave things alone? There are plenty of stories about people making improvements and upgrades in hopes of selling for a higher price, only to learn that what they thought was important didn't matter to prospective buyers. One real estate agent tells of a man who put a $60,000 addition on his house to create a modern, fancy kitchen. Six months later the new owner bulldozed the kitchen to make way for a deck and patio. So how do you know what to do? Just because something about your house has been bothering you, doesn't mean it will also bother a buyer. Certainly, you want to be sure that you cover the basics: Curb appeal – looking good from the street, right up to and including the front door, Clean and uncluttered inside – remove extra furniture and "stuff" to make your rooms look open and inviting, Fresh and bright – fresh paint in light colors, clean carpets and floors, and especially important, fresh smelling rooms help a home's appeal.
Beyond these basics, don't start major changes until you've talked to your professional real estate agent, and also to family, friends, and neighbors. It's easy to find fault with something that bothers you about your home, but others may see it differently. When getting your home ready to sell, invest in the things that will pay off in getting a better price and quicker sale. Be realistic about what needs attention, but resist the urge to come up with a long list of projects to "improve" your home, or make it "more competitive." Too often, these projects take on a life of their own and simply delay getting the home on the market. The "Special" Ed Haraway Team can help you see your home from a buyer's standpoint. With more than 20 years of experience in the local market, we know real estate, and have earned our title as "The Realtors Who Treat You Special!" |
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