Are you thinking about selling your home? What are the best ways to prepare your home for sale to attract the most number of buyers who will offer the highest price?
Buyers are like any of us, they prefer a home that is truly ‘turn key’ or ‘move in ready,’ where all they need to do, is move in. The reality is that there are not enough brand-new homes in Orange County, but even so, not even brand new is considered turn key. Buyers of brand new homes must decide on upgrades through the builder, purchase and install window coverings after closing, and design and complete the landscaping. A lot of effort goes into a new home purchase.
HGTV programs such as Flip or Flop and Property Brothers, have created an expectation and desire for buyers to purchase homes that look like models. If the price is right, the closer the home looks to model perfect with all the bells and whistles, the faster the home will sell. Unfortunately, not every home shows that way.
Sellers, you need to know what buyers see. We see our homes without the fresh eyes a buyer uses.
Many homes are dated, if a kitchen is more than ten years old, it will look worn and dated. If the grass has brown patches and the planters are sprouting weeds, the yard needs updating. Vinyl flooring, popcorn ceilings, stained carpet, single pane windows, scuffed walls, aluminum blinds, ceramic tile in the kitchen, original bathroom hardware, and water stained cabinets make a home feel used and worn. Add a pet to the equation with the associated odors, hair, and damage and we can have a hard time attracting buyers.
If you are planning on putting your house on the market, it would be wise to address the above, the move forward with the home selling process.
So what can everyday homeowners learn from investors who flip homes for a profit? They paint, scrape popcorn ceilings, and install new granite counters, flooring, light fixtures, and cabinets. They update new sod, plants, flowers, and mulch. Basically, the make residential resale look and feel like a model home. With professional staging an investor can make a healthy profit and as a homeowner you can still sell your home for more money.
Remember as sellers, you will net more money by addressing any deferred maintenance. If not, the price adjusts downward in the eyes of a buyer.
