DE-CLUTTER THE HOME
Buyers are most interested when the property is in its best condition, allowing them to move in as quickly as possible. It is important it is free of clutter and appears clean, welcoming, and appealing. Selling a home out-of-state most often comes from settling a close relative’s estate, removing the person’s belongings and selling the home. Homes having been lived in for many years while someone aged are often those most in need of updates, repairs, and appropriate staging. If you are clearing out a deceased relative’s belongings, first place emphasis on organizing and removing important documents and heirlooms. Then consider engaging an estate sale or auction company to get the best value from the belongings and the remaining items can be donated or disposed of. A professional cleaning company is certainly a worthwhile investment in any sale of a previously lived-in home. It is also necessary to make repairs and cosmetic improvements which will gain the attention of prospective buyers when they view the property. You do not have to renovate the entire home, and in fact, major renovations are not usually a good investment. There is no direct dollar-for-dollar correlation between upgrade investment and market price. A $25,000 kitchen renovation will not bring the market price of a $275,000 house to $300,000. Do not assume you can add this amount to your asking price and get trapped by making your home the nicest, but also priciest, home for the area. Also, spending $10,000 to replace a roof can lead to the thought a higher price for the home is in order. However, buyers expect the roof to be in excellent shape or will make this an issue in negotiations and their offer. No improvements taking the home out of the price range of the neighborhood will return value.
68
Powered by FlippingBook