What to do when there is so much to do -- where to start getting your home ready to sell. You have decided it is time to sell, and there are so many things that you have just lived with over the years, whether it was because money was tight, or you didn't want to deal with the mess, or any multitude of reasons. Do you spend the money to totally update it so you can get the most out of it? Do you do nothing and sell as is? Do you do some things and not others? And how do you decide? Here are 4 things to think about when you decide it is time to move.
1. Start with a complete list of everything it will take to bring it all up to date for the price range your home will likely be in. If you are in a neighborhood which is only going to bring $100,000, you don't need granite counters.
2.Then separate out those items which are necessary maintenance items & which are cosmetic. Those rusted gutters and the wood rot would be necessary maintenance, whereas the vinyl floor in the kitchen is cosmetic. New windows are somewhere in between depending upon their condition.
3. Put a cost to each item -- can you do it yourself in a timely manner or would it be faster or less expensive or safer to hire someone. If you have never laid tile floors before, don't have the tile saw or the tools, and you are never going to do it again, you have a 40 hour a week job so you will only have weekends or evenings to get it done, get a bid from a contractor!
4. Look at the as-is value vs the as repaired value and compare it to the cost sheet you have prepared.
A Realtor can help you with this list and help you decide what is necessary to get the most money in the shortest amount of time. Most experienced real estate agents will let you know what is most important for the price range and neighborhood you are in. In our area, paint and carpet can usually be recouped in the sale. A totally new bathroom or kitchen maybe not. Maintenance items, depending upon what they are, may not repay in actual dollars on the sale price, but may be recouped in time on the market. If you have decided to sell, talking to a Realtor(r) prior to doing anything can save you money in the long run.
Call me before you start
913-322-8301
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