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Real estate is currently a buyer’s market. As such, people on the hunt for a new home can be more selective than ever when shopping around for the right residence. This means sellers should be prepared for interested parties to zero in on the tiniest imperfections and demand substantial discounts. However, this isn’t to say that you should throw in the towel and settle for a figure well below your asking price. Taking the time to spruce up your home in advance of putting it on the market can help the property sell quickly and prove beneficial to your financial bottom line.
Increasing Curb Appeal
First impressions are vitally important in many areas of life – and real estate is no exception. After all, if potential buyers don’t like what they see on the outside, they’re unlikely to even want a look at the inside. This is why it’s imperative that all sellers take measures to increase curb appeal. In addition to keeping your lawn mowed and your yard free of clutter, increasing curb appeal can also mean slapping a fresh coat of paint on your house. Repainting is particularly important for homes with paint jobs that show visible signs of wear. If you’re currently asking yourself, “Where can I find painters in my area?,” your favorite search engine can instantly supply you with the answers you seek.
In addition to large-scale projects like repainting, there are a number of smaller steps you can take to give your curb appeal a boost. For example, if your mailbox has seen better days, consider swapping it out for one that’s visually appealing and has a color scheme that matches your new paint job. Furthermore, replacing the numbers on your home with larger, flashier ones has been shown to grab the attention of buyers.
Tend to Plumbing and Electrical Issues
The last thing a potential buyer wants is to be saddled with a home with outstanding plumbing and/or electrical issues. On the off-chance that you find someone willing to invest in such a property, they’re likely to demand a substantial reduction in price. In many cases, this reduction is more than the cost of having the issue(s) repaired. Before placing your home up for sale, take care to have the property thoroughly inspected by a trained electrician and plumber. These seasoned pros will be able to identify any outstanding problems and provide recommendations on how to remedy them.
Thoroughly Clean the Property
When prospective buyers survey a property for the first time, they often picture what their lives will look like in that particular home. However, it can be difficult for them to form a clear mental image when the home in question is in total disarray. With this in mind, sellers need to roll up their sleeves and give their homes a thorough cleaning before allowing walkthroughs. For starters, this means decluttering – particularly in areas like the living room and kitchen. Additionally, all bathrooms should be purged of mold, mildew and other visible filth. If your grout has fallen victim to ingrained stains, it’s recommended that you replace it. If cleaning your entire residence from top to bottom seems like too daunting a task, considering enlisting the aid of a professional housecleaning service.
Have the Property Inspected
Sellers who are interested in full transparency should have their properties inspected by a licensed home inspector. A seasoned inspector will be able to bring any underlying issues to your attention and educate you on how to remedy them. Having these issues repaired stands to add to the value of your home and can help justify your asking price. In addition, many buyers feel safer investing in properties that have undergone inspections. If you forgo a home inspection and the person who purchases your home later encounters problems an inspector would have uncovered, you may find yourself in legal trouble.
To say that modern-day homebuyers can be picky would be an understatement. Given the wide array of options they have at their fingertips, many buyers see no point in wasting time with properties that don’t live up to very specific standards. That being the case, it behooves sellers to nip prospective problems in the bud and take measures to make their homes more desirable to interested parties. When working to make your home stand out in a crowded marketplace, the previously discussed pointers are sure to come in handy.
