The real estate market is exceptionally strong going into 2016’s fall market. According to the latest RBI statistics, days on market are slightly down from this time last year and sellers’ list price to sales price ratios have increased a little over half a percent across the region.
With mortgage rates continuing to stay low, keeping buyer activity high, there is no reason to wait until the next spring market to sell your home.
Preparing your home to sell can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by walking through your home as if it was your first time. What stands out to you? Think like a buyer, and make notes of the small and large. This initial list will help you organize and prioritize what needs to be done. Take preemptive measures and avoid a possible contract negotiation by addressing items now.
Curb appeal is your way to a great first impression This is the time to clean those gutters you’ve been meaning to get to and repaint those shutters. Common requests on home inspections are caulking, paint on the exterior, and wood rot.
Pressure wash siding and keep up with the lawn. These two relatively simple steps that can have a huge impact.
Pull weeds and replace empty beds with eye-catching flowers and mulch. Spruce up your front door with a fresh coat of paint, a wreath, and a new welcome mat. Remember, your home has one chance to make a great first impression.
Scrub-a-dub-dub everything, including the tub. Cleaning is a critical, and it’s a free way to make sure your home leaves a positive impression.
Pack up anything that looks cluttered. Donate things you’ve decided you no longer need. Now’s the time. Removing excess items puts the attention back on your home, and it makes rooms feel larger, which is always a bonus.
Make sure you take a good look at your floors. If you’ll be marketing your home while it is vacant, be sure to look at the floors again when the furniture is removed. Heavily stained or worn carpet is a huge negative for buyers. Determine if your carpet just needs a deep clean, or if it should be replaced. For hardwoods, use a scratch filling wax to make the floors shine like new.
Fresh paint is always a good idea. The dark blue bedroom walls may be great for you, but can be a turn off to a potential buyer. Neutral paint allows potential buyers to visualize what they would do with that space in their own unique style.
New white trim and soft beige and grey walls enable buyers see your home as a blank slate, and help your home look fresh and new. With that being said, your entire home doesn’t need to be completely neutral. With all of the home renovation shows out there these days, buyers are much better able to see beyond a completely neutral home.
Make sure your HVAC has been recently cleaned and serviced.
Lastly, step it up a notch with some small renovations. Be sure to talk to your realtor to make sure what you’re thinking about doing is going to give you a good return on investment. We do this all the time for our clients, and it makes a considerable difference when it comes time to market your home.
Kitchens and bathrooms are huge selling points in a home today. Small updates such as replacing old hardware, fixtures, faucets, and hinges can give your home some added value.
If you start now with small steps, your home will be ready for the fall market.
For more information, call the Amy Cherry Taylor & Associates Customer Service Line 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 540-632-2824, or reach Amy directly at 703-577-0135.
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