Summer will soon be here and with it, the busiest time of year for Real Estate. Now is the time to start prepping your home if you plan to put it on the market.
Over the last year or so new construction has grown and started to pose serious competition against more established homes. How to do you compete? First, unless your home is historic, don’t refer to it as an older home. It’s an established home in a mature/well located/stable, etc. neighborhood.
Here are a few other ways to position your home to compete:
- Update the Kitchen and Bathrooms
Simply updating the hardware in these rooms can give it a fresh look. Wood cabinets with a dated finish can be re-painted, rather than replaced. Consider neutral colors like white and pale grey. - Paint the High Traffic Areas
A fresh coat of paint in the kitchen, family room and entry can give a house new life, especially if the current colors aren’t neutrals. - Showcase the Functionality of the Space
If you’ve lived in the home for a while you may have remodeled areas or arranged appliances and furniture in a way that maximizes the features of the home. If you’re not sure that you have, consult with a home stager. These professionals know what buyers are looking for and will recommend furniture placement to showcase your homes best features. - Highlight Technology
If you’ve updated outlets to include USB ports, have an internet hub, or have great cellular coverage, make sure buyers know! Since many people no longer have a landline, showcasing the fact that your home has “five bars of signal in every room!” is a feature that will appeal to many buyers. - Curb Appeal
One of the great things about older homes is that the landscaping is mature. Trim your trees and hedges, make sure your flower beds are weeded and have mulch, pine straw or other finishing elements and then let potential buyers know how easy it is to maintain the yard. New construction can’t compete with lush landscaping of a well maintained home. - Take Care of Wood Rot
The last few winters have been very rainy which means wood decks, door frames and windowsills may have some rot. Replace any areas with rot and fresh coat of paint or varnish. - Paint or Pressure Wash the Exterior
As long as we’re talking about curb appeal, pressure washing the home before you list it is key. The house will look well cared for and better show case landscaping. If it’s been more than ten years, you should consider repainting the home. - Location, Location, Location!
Are you in a great school district? Is your neighborhood convenient to a major destination or transportation hub? Shout it from the roof tops! A lot of new construction is located away from the center of the city, so take advantage of the conveniences around you.