Tuesday, July 24, 2018



How to Boost Your Home’s Market Value Before You Put Up for Sale

by Suzie Wilson


Few things can be as nerve-wracking as when you are trying to sell your home. You want to be able to
sell your home quickly and for more than you got it for, but navigating this world can be intimidating and
confusing. Thankfully, this process doesn’t have to be fraught with anxiety.




Hire a Listing Agent

An agent is your best friend. They bring with them years of expertise to guide you through the entire
process. It is their job to help you attract the right buyers, set the price, determine when it’s the best
time to sell, point out anything you can do to boost your home’s value, and guide you through all of the
paperwork. Since they make commission off the sale, they want to sell your home as badly as you.

If you’re hesitant about the cost of an agent, Realtor.com reminds sellers that in most scenarios an
agent’s fee is wrapped into the price of the home, so you won’t be paying them out of pocket.
Be sure to interview with several agents before deciding on one. You need to find someone that you
trust to get the job done professionally.

Setting the Right Price

If you prefer to do it alone, remember that one of the most vital aspects of selling a home is finding the
right price. A home priced too high can scare off many buyers, likewise a home priced too low can lead
them to assume there is something wrong with it. Take a look at what similar homes in your
neighborhood recently sold for to set your price. And also, look for online calculators to help determine
what you could realistically get for your home.

Address Major Maintenance Issues

Before you let anyone even look at your house, you should address any major maintenance issues.
The last thing buyers will want to do after purchasing a home is to deal with repairs. Many will
turn down an otherwise perfect fit for them because of excessive repair needs, and too many
maintenance issues can knock thousands of dollars off your home’s value.

To avoid this, hire an inspector to walk through your home and point out any issues so that you can take
action. Be sure to address any deal breakers such as a rusting pipes, cracked foundation, or mold. Make
sure your roof is in good condition too. If it is not, consider replacing it or repairing any leaks. Remember
to keep track of any repairs you do as they can help boost your homes sale.

Upgrade Your Interior Design

If you have the budget, a great place to spend it is on updating some cosmetic fixtures. Adding updates
to the interior design can help give your home a fresh feel. Fortunately, many of these updates are
cheap and can be handled on your own.

HGTV recommends giving all the rooms a fresh coat of paint and to stick to neutral colors. A set of
cheap curtains or new throw pillows can also go a long way. Do not shy away from the kitchen and
bathroom either. Updating handles and faucets is a surprisingly cheap and easy tactic to add a
contemporary feel to these spaces.

Set the Stage

Buyers are looking to see themselves living in your home. Make it easier for them by depersonalizing
your house. This means removing any family photographs, sports paraphernalia, and the various
knick-knacks you have collected over the years. Further emphasize your home’s assets by creating
the illusion of more space. Try rearranging rooms and removing some furniture. Once the stage is set,
consider investing in a deep clean. Keeping your house sparkling will give it a ready to move in feel.

If you are planning on hiring a professional photographer, after this step is the time to do it. Investing
in high-quality photos is an excellent way to promote your house and drive in any potential buyers.

Lay Out the Welcome Mat

There are a lot of steps to go through before a for sale sign even goes up on your lawn. While it may
seem like a lot to do for something you are trying to sell, these steps can raise your home’s value
significantly. This way, when it hits the market, it won’t stay there very long.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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