Five Things To Fix Before Selling a Home
Across Florida, the real estate industry has bounced back. Homes are selling quickly with most homes under contract within the first two months of going to market. However, not all homes sell equally well. Here are five things to consider before selling a home.
Bathrooms
Having too few bathrooms can make selling a home difficult. Of course, you may not be able to add a bathroom, but you should definitely revamp the bathrooms you have to make them as attractive to potential buyers as possible. Bathroom remodels tend to average around $2500 for low-end and $23,000 for high-end renovations. According to the Remodeling 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, the return on investment for a bathroom remodel is 70.1%. In addition to the ROI, you will also find that homes with nice bathrooms sell faster.
Unusual Layout
Most buyers want to see a home layout that makes sense in terms of space usage and flow. If you are using your home in an unconventional way, then make changes before putting it on the market. For instance, have you changed your dining room into an office? Did you convert a sitting room into a bedroom that is only accessible through another bedroom? Although these changes worked for you, they will not make the house feel functional. Be sure to give each room a dedicated purpose that makes sense for the layout when selling a home.
Unique Decorating Style
Everyone has their own distinct taste in terms of home decoration. However, when selling a home, you want to appeal to the masses. The point of all color schemes and décor is to get as many people interested in your home as possible.
This means you should repaint your home in neutral tones and put in neutral flooring. Additionally, you will want to remove anything that makes your home feel cluttered, outdated, or flashy. Always think conservative when getting your home ready for the market.
Swimming Pool
If you read general real estate articles, you will find that having a swimming pool hurts the resale value of your home. In the sunny State of Florida, this is not true. Having a pool can be quite valuable and enhance the value of your home.
Nonetheless, you want to be sure that your pool is in good repair and has the safety features needed. Potential buyers often worry about security and upkeep. Having the right tools in place will alleviate those fears.
If you don’t have a pool, you may want to consider adding one, especially if most homes in the neighborhood have one. Adding a pool can increase your home’s value up to 7% as long as:
- The style of pool fits the neighborhood
- The pool is well-maintained
Is It Green?
Although having a green home is “in” right now, there are some green features that buyers shy away from these include such things as:
- Rain barrels
- Composting toilets
- Artificial turf
- Rock garden instead of a green lawn
- Solar panels with a lease
If you have green features that are not universally accepted, you may find it takes longer to find a buyer for your home. Instead of selling specific features, consider selling the lifestyle your green home can bring. Include such things as:
- Healthy living environment
- Lower operating costs
- Sustainable lifestyle
As you consider selling a home, be sure to look at your home critically. How will potential buyers see your home and what can you do to change any negative first impressions? Feel free to contact us before putting your home on the market. We’d be happy to look over your home and help you determine what you can do to help your home sell quickly in this great market.