TEN THINGS THAT MAKE BUYERS BITE
Courtesy of
Pam Bless, Re/Max Tri County
609-587-9300 ext. 314
I don't usually advise my clients who are selling their home to spend a lot of money upgrading. I recommend that they keep their home neat and clean to show it to its best advantage, and I try to help them determine a selling price that takes into account the home's true fair market value. A home loaded with upgrades and extras will command more in price, while the same size home that needs repairs or updating will command less in price. Some clients decide to spend some money on their home hoping to hasten a sale, which can work out well if the money they spend can be recouped in the final sale price.
There ARE some situations, however, where a seller decides it's in their best interest to spend a little time, money, and effort preparing their home for sale. This is often the case with a seller who will only sell if their original asking price can be met; they feel if they don't get what they want for their home they can stay and enjoy the upgrades they've put in trying to entice a buyer. I'm providing you with a list of ideas to "make buyers bite." Hopefully you can pick and choose the ideas that will work for your home and your situation. Don't forget, if you're in doubt as to the best course of action, a professional realtor such as myself will always offer you their opinion free of charge!
The Entryway
Impress buyers right off the bat with a beautiful entrance. A fresh coat of paint on the front door is an inexpensive, yet impressive, touch. If you don't have an entryway, make one! This doesn't need to involve tearing down or putting up walls. An entryway can be created by something as simple as a clever arrangement of furniture.
Hardwood Floors
Most buyers love the beauty of hardwood floors, and it saves the buyer wall-to-wall carpet expenses. They can leave the floors as is or they can use area rugs in heavily trafficked areas. A synthetic wood floor, like Pergo, is always a good option for those who can't afford hardwood.
Fabulous Fixtures
"Fixtures are the jewelry of the house". Only the extremely detail-oriented among us will stop to inspect doorknobs, faucets & cabinet knobs, but designers and realtors argue that we'll prefer the look of a place that has coordinated fixtures that are a cut above the standard developer grade. Newer construction can be so very chintzy with fixtures and fittings, and older homes' fixtures often show their age. Replacing knobs and drawer pulls is the quickest way to make over a bathroom or kitchen. Faucets may be a bit of an expense, but you can probably get something much nicer than what you already have for under $100.
Beautiful Baths
Marble counters, whirlpools, and steam showers up the attractiveness of any bathroom. But if you don't have these luxury items, it may be more practical to address the unattractive aspects of your existing bath. Replace that big sheet mirror and globe lights with an elegant framed mirror and sconce lighting on either side. Don't be afraid to look outside the bathroom section for something pretty and for flattering lighting.
Counter Intelligence
You may have heard that granite countertops are what buyers are after in a contemporary kitchen, but it's really about the slab. When it comes to slab countertops, granite is the top pick because it's hard, nonporous and easy to care for. But then again, so is Corian, so are composite stone surfaces such as Silestone and with the help of today's sophisticated sealants, so are concrete, limestone, soapstone and marble. Even butcher-block, which is much less expensive than stone, can be a more appealing alternative to tile or laminate countertops.
Already have granite? Make it cutting edge. A lot of people are honing their granite now. What that does is knock it down and make it more matte, so it looks warmer and more inviting. Shiny surfaces can look very cold.
Pre-Organized Closets
Having organizers in your bedroom closets and kitchen pantry or cabinets is a big plus to buyers. Your home will appear more roomy and neat. Organizers come in all different price ranges in stores like Home Depot or Lowe's and they are relatively easy to install. You can't go wrong here - even if you decide not to sell, you'll enjoy having your things organized!
Light Up
Everyone needs three types of lighting - task, ambient, and decorative. Simply replacing your existing light bulbs in work areas with higher wattage bulbs can take care of the task lighting. Install dimmer switches so you can set whatever atmosphere you want in the rooms of your choice. Finally, don't forget to leave the lights on if you are expecting a showing!
Built-in Bonus
Some buyers love built-ins because they view it as "free" furniture. Well-crafted entertainment units or bookshelves can make a home stand out. On the other hand, it can be a catch -22 because some people would rather organize their own furniture. Sometimes it's better to have freestanding pieces that look like built-ins, that you can give the buyer the option to purchase.
Lush Lawn
Worried about competing with the house down the block with the concrete patio or the rock garden? Don't be! A flat yard can be a much better seller, since different buyers will have different ideas about how they want to use their yard and how they want it to look. A sensible investment here is to fill in holes and plant grass seed over bare spots in the lawn.
Bonus Tip
Do you have an empty house you need to sell? A very clean empty house can show very well. People see its full amount of space and can more easily picture their own furniture in the home than when it's cluttered with items that reflect the seller's particular taste. However, if you have a vacant house to sell that looks cold or unappealing in any way; consider "staging" it with rental furniture for a month or two.
I hope these tips were helpful to you! Please don't forget, an experienced realtor can give you the best advice concerning upgrades and repairs specific to your home and the real estate market in your area.
Please call Pam and Tony at (609) 587-9300 ext 314 for a FREE update on current market conditions in your area. Mention this article and receive a FREE appointment at your home to discuss any changes you are considering and whether you can expect to recoup the money you spend.
"You are an excellent real estate representative. You knew about the market and found what was available. Not only finding the house, you were very knowledgeable about things to look at when purchasing a home. You told us about the neighborhood and the school systems. Whenever we had a question or comment you listened to us."
Brian and Mary Carr, Hamilton
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