Answer: There are many reasons a seller would rather offer a credit for a cosmetic defect such as wallpaper removal, paint, or carpeting. It saves the seller considerable time and effort. Plus they don’t have to go through the angst of choosing the right paint colors and carpeting choices. And it seems to make sense to allow buyers to choose their own paint colors and flooring choices anyway. For example, many buyers would rather have hardwood instead of carpet and can use that credit towards hardwood.
However, in reality, a credit is not nearly as valuable on resale as actually doing the work prior to listing. Buyers simply can’t visualize the improvements. All they see is the worn carpeting or old wallpaper.
Not all homes will have the “What’s In/What’s Out” suggestions from Page 1; however, here is a short list of cosmetic improvements we would strongly recommend prior to listing:
• New carpeting if needed
• Fresh paint if needed
• Wallpaper removal if needed
• Replace or paint hollow wood veneer doors.
• Replace builder grade light fixtures in the dining room and bathrooms.
• Remove outdated curtains or window treatments (bare windows are better than out of style curtains or blinds).
• Purge, purge, purge. Less is more when selling. Go for clean, well-organized, and uncluttered.
We offer a FREE consultation to home sellers to prepare for sale. If you are considering a sale next month or next year, please have us out to visit your home.
