If you’re considering selling your home this spring, real estate agent Susan Roemer wants you to know that now is the time to start planning and preparing!
“Even though it’s only January, the housing market will be heating up quicker than you think come March and April,” says Roemer. Most homes in our market area are sold between April and October, so it’s best to get busy now. And, as we move into the 2017 real estate market, one thing is abundantly clear: Properties that are polished and well-maintained will bring the most amount of value.
“As a licensed professional engaged in the business since 1998, I have worked both sides of the real estate market,” says Roemer. “Sellers are looking for the best return on their investment and buyers are looking for a home in move-in-ready condition.”
So, what are some cost effective tasks you can accomplish over the next few weeks to get your home listing-ready? Susan shares “Roemer’s Remedies” below.
Start small by decluttering your home. Pack up all your unessential items and either stock them out of sight in the basement or attic, or consider putting them into storage. Any items that you are not planning on moving to your next location should be eliminated prior to listing.
You want buyers to notice ample space in the home when they are viewing, free to think and imagine, “How could this living space work for us? Could I use this room as our office? Would our bedroom furniture fit in this room?” Make sure closets and drawers are organized and you can see the interiors of them while still housing items. Keep in mind when buyers are seeing chaos in your home they start feeling uncertain of the rest of the home’s components. Let the beautiful details and features of your home shine out to them; maybe it’s the gorgeous cabinets in the kitchen, the shiny hardwood floor or slate floors. Think of your home’s best features and make them stand out.
Also, keep your home clean and tidy. We all have a regular cleaning routine, but it’s best to hire a professional cleaning service prior to listing, as they will see the areas that are overlooked. Under beds, windows, ceiling fans, appliances in, out, and behind.
If you have pets, keep odor elimination in mind. Be certain that carpets are professionally cleaned, baseboards are free of hair, and that litter boxes aren’t perceptible. Also, be wary of smoke. Wash down walls, launder window treatments, and maybe use odor-eliminating spray, if needed. Smell, an important sense-driven reaction that has consequence, walking into a home with a foul odor can be a turn off.
Remember that a fresh coat of paint goes a long way. Pick neutral tones, such as off-whites or soft gray tones. If you are uncertain about choosing colors, check in with your local paint store on the most current color trends, as they would be happy to assist. My rule of thumb is to repaint at least every seven years, color trends change out just like fashion, out dated colors add years to any home. Trim paint is just as important, chipped up moldings reflect wear and tear. You want buyers to be able to envision their own aesthetics in your home without having to look past polarizing paint colors and have a list of painting tasks at hand upon moving in.
Also consider small renovations, such as upgrading light fixtures or bathroom and kitchen hardware. New faucets in kitchens and baths are imperative; faucets and hardware are considered the “jewelry” of the room. Every buyer walks over to the sink and runs the water; a clean, updated faucet adds to that well-maintained demeanor. Another great update is adding beadboard as a backsplash or for providing a chair-rail detail in the bathroom. Beadboard can give the space a fresh aesthetic and it’s easy to install and clean.
Countertops are a bit more expensive to replace, but consider having them resurfaced. There are a few companies in business that specialize in this service and some of my previous clients have transformed their outdated kitchen countertops into a modern-day look for minimal investment with a resurface application.
Staging tips can be discussed upon viewing individual homes. This is a skill that is developed over many years of viewing homes and staying current on the “look” of what buyers are after. About 80 percent of the buyers in today’s market are emotionally driven. If it’s attractive, offers updated features and most importantly priced at fair market value, it will sell.
A bit harder in the winter to maintain. . . but curb appeal is something to consider. Buyers have been known to walk away from a home before even setting foot inside based on its curb appeal, so make sure your exterior looks exceptional. In the winter months keep driveways and walks clear of snow, as well as roof raking to avoid any ice build up. Come springtime consider a full yard clean up, touch up any exterior peeling paint, and add a personal touch of hanging a springtime welcoming wreath on the front door.
“Buyers are searching for a well-maintained home and a clean environment,” noted Roemer. “Anything you can do enhance that will be beneficial when it comes time to sell.”
Perhaps the most important to-do item is finding a prodigious real estate agent to represent your home listing. You want Susan since she is experienced, well informed, and tech savvy. Knowing what’s going on in the housing market in your neighborhood is crucial and Susan’s 19 years of experience will serve you well.
So, while the air is cold and the snow continues to accumulate outside, remember that spring is only 70 days away! Start preparing your home today and call Susan Roemer of Better Homes and Gardens, the Masiello Group of Concord, at 491-0833 or email sroemer@masiello.com.