Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

July 18, 2008    By: Karen Huntoon

First Impressions Count…

The Truckee real estate market is no different than any of the others. Getting your home ready to sell is very important. Don’t be tempted to put your house on the market until it is in “show” condition. First impressions count.

There are basically two reasons why sellers go to the effort and expense to prepare their homes for sale. One is that it helps to bring a higher price. The other is that it usually results in a quicker sale.

It’s important to make cost-effective cosmetic improvements in order to realize an increase in profit when you sell. Major renovations made just before selling — such as completely remodeling kitchens and bathrooms — are not cost-effective. Although they improve the appeal of the home, you aren’t likely to recoup the full amount of your investment on a quick turnaround.

But other cosmetic improvements such as refinishing hardwood floors, replacing outdated floor coverings, replacing outdated light fixtures and painting are worth the money. The reason these improvements tend to bring a higher price is that most people have difficulty imagining what a house will look like fixed up. You do the fix-up work so that you don’t leave the sale of the house to chance.

If you leave the work to the buyer, fixer-uppers appeal to those who usually want a break on the price to compensate for the condition of the property. By sprucing up the property for sale, you appeal to a much broader audience. The more interest there is, the more chance there is for a sale at a higher price.

Buyers are less likely to reject a house that is “move in” ready. Often, with second or vacation homes, buyers don’t want to do alot of work before they move in.

Buyers in Truckee are pickier than they were a year ago when home prices were rising quickly. Many buyers are concerned that prices are falling. So, their enthusiasm for paying higher prices regardless of the condition of the property has waned. Buyers are looking for value.

Sellers often resist spending money on a property they’re selling. This is particularly so in the current Truckee real estate market, where they may have less chance of receiving multiple offers and a generous price. However, properly preparing your home for sale can give you an advantage in today’s challenging market.