Nice View From a Far It may sound harsh, but once it goes on the market, you are open for business and the customer thinks he's always right. If you're still emotionally attached to your home, it's much harder to hear a stranger's criticism and respond objectively. Aside from getting your head, heart and nerves in order, it's crucial to get your home in order before opening it to the world. Chances are, if there are more than a couple red flags, it won't sell. And, if your house isn't selling, you're wasting time. Wasting time can drag the price of your property to its grave. The longer it sits on the market, the more unappealing it becomes in the mind of the shopper. No one wants a home that everyone else passes over. There must be something wrong with it (they, perhaps even subconsciously, determine). Therefore, do whatever repairs you can afford before listing your home. Typically, the buyer orders and pays for a home inspection after the seller accepts their offer. The seller ends up with a laundry list of repair demands, that must be met or the deal won't close. Often, the deal doesn't close. If the home inspection exposes any large structural issues, the prospective buyer may choose to opt-out and walk away from the contract. |
Purple flowered vine in Macs'woods, Washington, NC Some sellers find it beneficial to go beyond making the necessary repairs, to actually making upgrades to their property. For example, by replacing an old front door, property owners are able to realize a whopping average national return on investment of 128.9 percent, according to the 2009 Cost vs. Value Report by the National Association of Realtors. Six of the top-10 projects with the biggest return are siding and window replacement using a variety of materials and involve home maintenance that costs less than $14,000. The other upgrades that make the most economic sense are adding an attic bedroom or a wood deck and mid-range kitchen and bath remodels. After making repairs and upgrades, it's time to add the finishing touches, or, should I say, take them away. This step is the true test of commitment to your move. It's time to deconstruct your home's personality and make each room look like a page in a magazine. This is necessary for both marketing and showing purposes. By removing the clutter, the family photos, the pink-flamingo lawn ornaments, not only do you create the illusion of space, you also reveal the bare bones of the property, which is what prospective buyers need to see. If the view of the walls, the floors, the landscaping, etc. is obstructed, a frustrated buyer may walk away. "Don't gild the lily," my great-grandfather used to say. |