Sellers: Think Like a Buyer!

You are ready to sell your house. It has been a great house for you! It is just the way you like it: super comfortable and relaxing to come home to each night.

 

Does that mean it is ready to go on the market? You need to check out your competition!

 

Sellers are sometimes surprised at the things that I suggest that they update before listing their home. I don't just throw out things and I have no interest in having my sellers waste their hard earned money. The biggest driver in getting your home ready to go on the market is to make it appealing to buyers. Remember, those buyers are looking at multiple homes. How does yours stack up against the others?

 

Don't balk if your agent suggests freshening your home with paint--and then asks you to change the color. What is comfortable and attractive to you might not be 'on trend.'  Now is the time to stop thinking about this house as your home and start thinking about it like a commodity. You need to make your home appeal to the greatest number of buyers.

 

If your carpet is worn, replace it. You can try cleaning it, but if that doesn't work, you are going to need to get new carpet. I know you think the new buyers might end up ripping it up and putting in hardwoods (and if that is standard in your market, you might consider doing that before you list), but you need to do it anyway. No one wants to buy anyone else's old and dirty carpet.

 

I hear the same objection with appliances and counter-tops.  Sellers often believe that the buyer is going to rip out the kitchen anyway, so why spend the money? Spend the money. If new counters and appliances brings your kitchen closer to market standards, it is worth the money. Even if the buyer ends up getting rid of it all, they will likely envision themselves keeping the appliances. 

 

When you are a seller, the best thing you can do to sell your home is to think like a buyer. Check out the competition, go through some model homes, edit your home like crazy and make necessary updates. You will be glad that you did when you sell your home quickly!