When buying a house, the last thing the buyer wants is to inherit the major problems that can come with an older home. Even houses built just 15 years ago have not been held to the same standards as those being built today.
Older homes may need plumbing or electrical upgrades, a new furnace, foundation repairs, or tons of updates. If you’re selling an older home and want to get the best offer, check out these tips for getting it ready for market.
Repair It
While a few buyers may be looking for a fixer-upper, most buyers want a move-in ready home. They’ll want to know that the house doesn’t need any repairs and that you’ve kept up on maintenance.
The five biggest maintenance factors that buyers will be concerned with are the foundation, roof, plumbing, wiring, and utility bills. Getting an inspection before selling your home will help you determine what repairs are needed, and you can assure buyers that the house has been well maintained.
If you don’t want to make any repairs, you can sell your home as-is. You can weigh the cost of making the repairs versus selling your house for less, but be aware that you will have a smaller pool of buyers for an as-is sale.
Update It
You can make an old home look new with a few easy and strategic updates.
If you’re going to do major updates, kitchens and bathrooms will give you the most bang for your buck. But you can make your house look more modern with small, simple updates too.
Remove dated wallpaper and put on a fresh coat of paint
Update the hardware on your kitchen cabinets and drawers
Replace old light bulbs with bright, energy-efficient ones
They may be small changes, but they can have a huge impact.
Stage It
By staging your home, you’ll allow buyers to envision themselves living there. If it feels like they’ve been transported through time or are visiting someone else’s home, they’re not going to be inclined to buy.
Take down heavy drapes, and put away dated decor. The space should look bright, open, and neutral, so put away clutter and personal items like photos too.
Sell Its Charm
Older homes tend to have unique features that new homes just don’t. That’s probably what made you buy that home in the first place, right?
Think about those features that attracted you. Does it have crown molding or a fireplace mantel? Maybe it has an interesting history. Whatever it was that charmed you into buying this home, share it with potential buyers.
Enlist the Help of a Real Estate Agent
While new builds have a certain appeal, there aren’t enough of them to go around. Make your older home just as desirable as a brand new one with the help of a real estate agent.
An agent knows your local market. They know what buyers in your area want. With their expertise, you can stage and market your home so it has a competitive advantage over other homes in the area.
If you’re ready to get the most out of your aging home in the Valley, contact me today.
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