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Are you preparing to sell your home in 2024? If you are, then this article is for you. Here I provide essential tips for sellers just like you. Questions like, “What repairs should I focus on?” or “Where should I invest for the best return?” are answered to guide you through the process. Let’s get started!
- One big mistake when selling your house is doing only partial fixes. For example, if you repair just one wall’s siding, it might not match the others. Or you redo one bathroom, leaving the rest as they are. Even repainting just one room instead of the whole house can make things look off. I always tell my clients not to overdo these fixes. It’s important to get the house ready for sale without going overboard. This ensures a smooth process when listing, showing, and finally closing the deal. Many people think about doing only some of the repairs, like fixing just one bathroom because it’s cheaper. I advise against this. If the whole house needs work, it’s better to keep that money for the purchase of the new place instead of spending it in one area.
- Now, let’s talk about redoing bathrooms. I say don’t go too far; just make sure everything is in good shape for the next family. Let them add their touch to it. The same goes for the kitchen. I rarely suggest a complete remodel. Even though kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, if most of your house is older, a full kitchen redo might not be wise. You could end up spending a lot, and the first people seeing it might like the changes but want different countertops. If you’d kept it as it was, they could have picked their own.
- Okay, let’s discuss whether it’s a good idea to complete the basement, third floor, or that room over the garage that wasn’t finished when you purchased the house. Surprisingly, the answer is no, you don’t want to finish it out. I am usually guiding my clients to consider buying spaces that are unfinished because they hold significant value. These are flexible, undefined areas that can serve any purpose in the future. Leaving a bit of a window, keeping some space unfinished, can be a substantial asset for meeting various needs in a home. Having an unfinished space can address future objections like, “We love the house, everything’s perfect, but it doesn’t have [something].” An unfinished space provides the flexibility to become that missing element.
- Let’s dive into the world of flooring, a crucial aspect that can sometimes lead to costly mistakes when homeowners are gearing up to sell. While it’s understandable to replace worn-out and threadbare carpets that expose the subfloor, I don’t necessarily recommend an entire overhaul unless absolutely needed. Carpet replacement is a relatively quick, cost-effective, and efficient process that can significantly enhance the overall appeal. As a bonus tip, I suggest having installers use plastic walkways to keep the new carpet pristine and protect your investment. However, the decision to swap out carpets for sand and finish hardwood floors is often unnecessary. Pursuing such upgrades may involve chasing a specific buyer preference that might not align with the ultimate occupant’s desires. Buyers might have different flooring preferences, whether it’s a gift from a friend or a personal dislike for hardwood in favor of tile or other materials. Avoiding over-improvement is key; I aim to showcase the property in its best light without investing in features that potential buyers might object to. The goal is to present the property in its optimal form without unnecessary enhancements.
- A common question I often encounter is whether homeowners should replace all the doors in their house. In our area with a huge seasonal temperature fluctuations problem can come up, especially with houses facing the intense afternoon sun, storm doors can turn those little spaces into literal convection ovens. While the instinct may be to change the entire door, it’s crucial to assess the situation. Sometimes, a simple redo or hardware upgrade suffices, particularly if the existing door is of superior quality, as is the case with some older houses. For example, I have seen a front door that’s almost 2.5 inches thick—unusual for today’s doors. Even though it’s an older door, it’s better quality than what we could get now, so we’d have to make an expensive custom door. Also, take the new key you just got for the lockbox and run it through a few times. First things first, check if it works. Some folks get a fresh key but forget to make sure it actually opens the lock. Then, when the first potential buyers arrive, they realize the key isn’t cut right, and they can’t get inside the house.
- For doors that got banged up, especially metal ones, you might need to fix them up or change them. But when it comes to inside doors, it’s more about how solid they feel and if they match. If your inside doors don’t match, upgrading them might be a good idea, but only if you can easily find replacements. Usually, I don’t say you should change all your doors. Instead, I suggest getting them ready, maybe with a simple thing like painting. As an extra tip, use some graphite or WD-40 on those door hinges. That’s a quick and easy way to make doors function better and leave a good impression when showing a house.
- Let’s chat about landscaping. Sometimes people splash out too much cash on it, which we want to avoid. Refreshing the landscaping is crucial because the showing begins when people pull onto your street and searching for the sign and house number on the mailbox. Start with the landscaping for that curb appeal and initial impression. I emphasize this with my clients—let’s win that first approach impression. You want people getting out of their cars thinking, “I’m excited about this one!” When you’re on-site, it’s a different level of excitement compared to scrolling through pictures online and it’s crucial, especially when you’re down to the final five choices. Ensure the approach looks good, with well-maintained landscaping, a tidy mailbox, and perfect mulch. No need to break the bank on a full landscaping overhaul. Just freshen it up, bring it forward and make sure the yard is freshly cut and well-maintained.
- Another critical aspect when prepping your house for sale is roofs. Roofs can be pricey, often one of the most expensive components. In Minnesota, where we experience various weather events, from severe thunderstorms with hail to heavy rain and winter snow, roofs take a beating. Our properties aren’t always designed to withstand prolonged snow coverage. Checking the roof is crucial during the preparation for selling because, let’s face it, we don’t spend much time hanging out up there. Most issues arise during buyer inspections, especially with elements like flashings that you might not routinely check. Fortunately, many roofing companies offer free or low-cost roof inspections. Consulting with a chimney sweep or roofing expert can uncover affordable fixes, providing a good return on investment compared to a full roof replacement. Occasionally, there are situations where a roof is nearing the end of its life but is still in good working order. It may be 20 years old with no storm damage. This is significant because during buyer inspections, concerns about the age of the roof might arise. Having a pre-inspection report that confirms its good condition and lack of storm damage can help address these concerns early on. Instead of jumping to a complete roof replacement, having it inspected, understanding its current state, and consulting with an expert about standards and options is a prudent approach. Take stock of your assets as you prepare to market your property.
Well, since you’ve made it this far, I’ll let you in on the two things I always suggest to my clients when they’re getting ready to sell, guaranteed to bring in a return.
- The first game-changer is interior paint. Opt for neutral, light tones for a fresh look. Keep it simple; one color for all trim works wonders. Touch up walls, trim, paint ceilings, and watch as scratches, dings, and the wear of daily life vanish. It’s like hitting the reset button on your walls, providing a welcoming canvas for the next homeowner. An extra benefit is that a newly painted home has a nice smell, showing it’s been taken care of and is market ready. From the smallest details like covering a changed light fixture mount to the overall transformative effect, a paint refresh is both impactful and budget friendly. Buyers will notice the effort, giving your home that extra edge in the market.
- Another smart move I advise my clients to make is getting a pre-home inspection. You might ask me, “Why bother checking the house before putting it up for sale?” Well, it’s all about being proactive and making things go smoothly for both the you and the buyer. When you’re getting a house ready to sell, there are different phases: preparing, selling, and what comes after. In the preparation phase, doing a pre-home inspection when only the homeowners, their real estate agent, and the home inspector are involved can be really helpful. Let me explain with a common situation. One of my friends was selling a house they bought directly from a builder. During the inspection, they found a floor joist cut in a way that could cause issues. The homeowner, who bought the property brand new, didn’t know about this problem. It’s a common thing in new houses. By getting a pre-home inspection, he caught the issue early, got a structural engineer to suggest the right fix, and had a carpenter do the repair properly. When the buyer’s home inspector later checked the property, they saw the good repair work. This proactive approach showed that the homeowner takes good care of the property, making the potential buyer feel confident about its condition.
