Sell your home at Top Dollar!
The St. Louis Missouri home sales market is white HOT!! Both the city and county are experiencing fast sales and multiple offers for homes priced well for their condition and location. Here are some tips and things to avoid to ensure your home sells for top dollar:
Sellers often expect top dollar for their homes, but are dissappointed that their home won't sell for what their neighbor's did. Yet, they've not maintained their home well during their stay, nor do they want to spend money to bring it to a retail status. As a home seller you also have to think like a buyer - are YOU going to want to pay top dollar for a home that hasn't been maintained and will cost you money? No, you'll expect a deep discount!! So, if you're not wanting to sell your house in a hurry for a low price - here are some things to think about to ensure you treat your home as the investment that it is, and get top dollar when you do sell:
- Regular maintenence: This is the general theme! Don't ignore the little (or big) things. A multitude of tiny things wrong with your home can add up to something you don't want to do, and if you don't want to do them, a buyer won't either. Chances are they'll just mark your house off as the one thats been neglected and keep moving. Make sure all your lights have working bulbs and are in working order, cabinets are straight.
- Roof: Know the condition of your roof. Poor roof quality can be a real challenge in negotiations. Have a roofing contractor or two visit to provide a roof inspection. If its been 15-20 years since you last replaced your roof, you should expect to hear that it is near end of life. You could wait until it turns up on a buyers inspection if you please, but still would be expected to remedy it or drop your price - or to have entered in pricing for the current condition. You will have to disclose any known issues, but its way better to share that you're aware and are making repairs or discounting and showing an estimate.
- Decks: Like roofs, decks can be an expensive item and often home owners don't want to address or don't notice that after many years, without proper maintenence the wood has rotted or construction has become aged. Maintain your deck periodically by having it stained, sealed and the structure maintained. This is another inspection item which can be costly to repair or cost a reduction in sales price.
- Outdoors: Your front door and entry way create the first impression to your home. Ensure your landscaping is freshly mulched, and ideally mature - yes this means do landscaping when you move in so that its beautiful and adds value to your home. Make sure the front door and exterior of your home does not need maintenence! Paint the door a fresh color, address any chipping paint, ensure gutters are clean and water goes where it should! Siding / Tuckpointing should also have been maintained.
- Paint and depersonalize: When everything else is in order, you may want to paint a neutral color if you've been creative with colors or its been a while. A color that is currently popular is a light but neutral gray - or various shades of gray. Put away mosf family, political, religous and other personal items. Pack at least half of your decorations and belongings unless you are an extreme minimalist. The idea is, to create a simple and canvas where others can visualize themselves living there - not get to know you. You want them to envision this being THEIR perfect home!
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Market wisely!!
Thinking of selling? Would you like an analysis to know whaat your home is worth in today's market? Get suggestions about what things you need to do to prepare to sell your home? Contact me now for a free analysis!
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