For most people a home is one of the largest assets they have, so when it comes time to sell, getting the most out of that asset becomes a priority. How you and your broker go about the selling process can have a large impact on the size of the check you receive at closing.
Selling a home in our mountain communities usually means selling to someone who wants to have it as a vacation home as opposed to a primary residence. With that said, vacation home buyers are usually looking for a turnkey home that comes with no or minimal projects that need to be completed prior to them enjoying their new purchase. Keep in mind that the potential buyer is not from the area and looks at extensive home repair projects as a burden that takes away from the reason the purchase was made in the first place. I have had many buyers over the years come in and inquire about looking at “fixer uppers” in order to save some money. Almost never have those buyers purchased the “fixer upper” but instead inquire about looking at other homes, even if those other homes are priced higher. This subsequently pushes the price further down on the “fixer upper” to where it is eventually sold at a substantial discount or not sold at all.
To avoid the aforementioned scenario, the seller should do everything within their ability and budget to present their home in the absolute best light, and yes, this almost always involves spending money; however, you don’t need to break the bank to pull this off.
So where should you start? The vast majority of buyers know as soon as they pull up in the driveway if this house may or may not work for them. If I pull up in the driveway with a client and they say “no” without going inside, I leave immediately, as I know there is almost no chance they will make an offer on that particular house. So with that said, let's make sure the outside is appealing. Grass mowed, bushes and trees trimmed, yard debris picked up, ‘and if needed, repaint house trim and wash and or re-stain siding if necessary.
Moving inside, consider repainting, paint is cheap and provides the lowest cost with the highest rate of return. If the carpet is worn, consider replacing, you don’t need to buy expensive carpet, medium grade new carpet will suffice. If it is just dirty but doesn’t need replacing then it should be professionally cleaned. Re-stain scratched woodwork. Walk around your house with a staining rag and touch up all scratches on wood trim, hand railings etc.
Home odors, many times home owners don’t notice odors due to their constant exposure to them. Most odors are caused by pets but can also come from environmental causes. All of these odors can be remedied. If odors do exist, identify the source and remedy, if needed, seek professional advice because nothing can deter a home sale like bad odors.
Remove excessive nick-nacks, I once had a client that collected liquid soap dispensers, she had no less than 300 of them on display in and around her kitchen. I had another client that collected candle holders, she had over a hundred of them all over this beautiful Kiva fireplace, you could barely see the fireplace. Remember, if you are selling a house, you are moving, so start packing and move unnecessary items to the garage if they do not add to the appeal of your home.
So now you have some ideas on how to make your home more appealing and receive top dollar. The next step is to find a great Realtor and ask for their advice, remember, this is their job, they sell houses all day everyday so they should be able to steer you in the right direction. As a final note, If your Realtor tells you to clean up your yard, don't let it hurt your feelings, they are just trying to help you.
If you ever have any questions on what to do to get top dollar, please don’t hesitate to reach out, our brokers are always happy to answer questions and offer advice.
Rob Swan
Swan Realty
575-613-4243
info@swanrealtyinc.com
Related Articles:
Home Inspections, What You Need To Know
Title Insurance, What Is It and Do I Need It?