Lorraine Ryall
If you are considering selling your home this year, now is a great time to list it as we head into our peak selling season.
Every homeowner wants to sell his home in the shortest time possible and for the highest price. There is nothing wrong with that thinking, as long as the seller is prepared to get the house ready, and do what is necessary to make buyers willing to pay the top price.
We have seen a shift in our current market, from homebuyers who wanted a deal, and were prepared to do a lot of work themselves after the home was purchased, to buyers now looking for the move-in ready home. They are willing to pay a higher price for a home already updated, so they can roll that into the mortgage, especially with the low interest rates, rather than having to come up with the cash out of pocket to do the upgrades themselves.
Preparing Your Home For Sale Without Spending Any Money
The price of your home is going to depend on many factors, such as the upgrades and updates it has. If your home needs updating, but you don’t want to put any money into it, there still are a lot of things you can do to make your home show its best for a quicker sale at a better price.
Cleaning your home can make a huge difference—not just a regular clean, but a deep clean, from top to bottom. This means cleaning all the baseboards, fans, doors and doorframes, light switches, door handles and all the nooks and crannies. Wiping fingerprints off walls and banisters, and touching up with paint can really spruce up your home. Freshen up the flooring. Don’t just clean the carpets and tile, but clean the grout, too. Your tile can look brand new with clean grout.
Declutter—It is a good rule of thumb to take down two thirds of what you have out. You are going to be moving anyway. So, use this as a great opportunity to start your packing early. Keep countertops clear, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Reorganize your closet, and pack away anything you are not going to be using in the next few months.
Add a vase of fresh flowers or touches of color to warm up the house. Taking steps such as these can help it feel bright and clean.
Curb Appeal—First Impressions Count
I have been out showing homes with clients, pulled up to a listing we had planned on viewing, and the buyer says, “I don’t like the look of this house. Let’s miss this one, and just go to the next.” Curb appeal really does make a difference.
Have all the shrubs and trees trimmed, and rake the stone smooth. In addition, nothing makes the home look more appealing than color. Add blooming shrubs and colorful annuals. Make the entryway inviting, with potted plants. If there is room, include a small patio set.
Sprucing Your Home Up on a Small Budget
A fresh coat of paint can have a huge impact. Change any dark or bright colors to more neutral tones. Don’t forget to paint the baseboards to finish it off.
Changing fixtures
Bathrooms—Take down the big mirror over the sinks, and put up two framed mirrors, or one large one, or just frame the existing mirror. Change out the light fixtures and faucets. Buy some decorative towels, and it will look like a completely different bathroom.
Kitchens—Replace the faucets and hardware. If budget permits, install a new sink.
Remodel and Update on a Higher Budget
Buyers want granite. Before you embark on changing the countertops, which can have a huge impact, make sure your cabinets are in good condition. There is no point adding granite if the buyer will have to replace the cabinets anyway. If the cabinets are in good condition, but are outdated, depending on the wood, they can be refinished, painted or just the doors replaced for a fraction of the cost of new cabinets. When you get the bid for the kitchen, ask about the cost for the bathrooms. You may even have enough granite left over to do the bathrooms, or at least one of them, at no extra cost other than the install.
The kitchen and bathrooms are the selling rooms of any home. Research shows kitchens and bathrooms get 85 percent of the costs back, but you have to make sure you take into consideration the price of the house. How much you budget for upgrades will depend on the value of your home. You don’t want to upgrade more than the home can appreciate.
Please contact me for a free consultation on updating and staging your home, or for a list of contractors for free bids.
Lorraine Ryall is a Multi-Million Dollar producer and a recipient of the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award. For more information, call (602) 571-6799, or visit her website at www.Homes2SellAZ.com.