Preparing Your Home For Sale
Some people are able to sell their home for significantly more than the prevailing market value, while others discount their home to enact a sale. There are numerous factors, both within the control and outside the control of a homeowner, which dictate this, from the quality of the Realtor that you use and the time you have to stage and sell your home.
One factor that is often overlooked is the presentation and staging to get your home to sell fast. Understanding what you should and shouldn’t do to a home before its sale can help to improve on the price you secure for your home when you do sell it.
Understanding the Balancing Act between Living and Being Neat
Most people who are looking to sell a home have various interplaying factors to consider, just as those who are looking to buy a home have. Home sellers need to balance out the timing of their home sale and their next home purchase, live in their home while they sell it, and manage budget constraints all along the way. What is possible for one homeowner looking to sell a home may not be possible for another.
Some basic truths exist: a person selling their home should keep their home neat and well-organized and full of clutter. Messy homes seem cramped and undesirable to buy and often fetch lower sale prices.
This is especially true for living spaces and bedrooms, but also apply to those King’s of Clutter, basements and garages. Spend time to get rid of those things that have built up in your home and can be disposed of. Haul other items you can live without to a temporary storage facility, as doing so can make your home more attractive for a home buyer.
Knowing How to Invest in a Home Pre-Sale
A newly renovated home will provide you with a better sale price. Many people who are looking to buy a house will seek out homes that have a newly renovated kitchen or bathroom. There is even a whole section of real estate investors who make a living flipping homes after renovating them.
Still, you may not want to devote the time into renovating a kitchen or bathroom before a sale unless you can obtain a discounted price or have an aptitude for it, as there is no guarantee of the return on your investment. Instead, balance out the home’s estimated value, comparable home values that are newly renovated, and the cost of the renovation to see if it will pay off for you. The decision is likely dependent on your area, home, and preferences and no universal truth is available. Consult with a Realtor for their opinion.
Even if you choose to not pursue major renovations you may want to consider minor work like painting a room and fixing a broken window. Those who are looking to buy a home may be scared away from these minor renovations and taking time to fix items may pay dividends in a higher sale price when you sell your home. Home sales can be funny and small investments can pay back huge rewards.
Getting Old Renovations Legal
If an older renovation was never properly approved with a Certificate of Occupancy you should file the appropriate paperwork to have it done before you list your home. Real estate transactions sometimes fall apart without these approvals in place, causing delays and problems while taking up valuable closing time, so avoid this unfortunate problem whenever possible.
Having an Exit Strategy Lined Up
It can be challenging to time the purchase and sale of a home. Many home sales get delayed as paperwork and other tasks like mortgage approval get dragged out. Some home sellers will even turn down a home sale due to not having a place to stay in the interim. Line up several possible options such as staying with loved ones or renting temporary housing to avoid missing out on a great home sale. For more assistance in timing your home sale, we recommend working with a local professional real estate agent.