Looking to sell your Boise home?
Looking to sell your Boise home? Whether you're looking to sell your home at the peak of house-shopping season this spring or in the fall and colder winter months, you'd better get to work now. After all, in reality, it's not as easy as throwing an ad up on Craigslist; if you want your humble abode to stand out from the competition, because it could take weeks or even months to do it right. Get your home into shape, begin by fixing any problems and upgrading the eyesores that stand out. Because like it or not, your home, like all the others has sustained some wear and tear over the years. Here's how you can assess the damages and figure out which renovations will pay off in the end!
1. Add up the ages of various areas of the home
You're home may look great at first glance, however it won't matter, the fact is any savvy buyer will find and point out the various parts of the home that look weathered and old. Don't guess, but rather take some time and gather your paperwork, if you've purchased your home in the past few years, check your home records or your seller's disclosure and find out the age or last time any big items were repaired. Namely your roof, water heater, HVAC systems and gutters. Always keep copies of your own maintenance records and receipts.
Also, how long items last depends on a lot of factors such as the model and how well it's been maintained, but you can get a general idea on the average life span here, study by the National Association of Home Builders.
For Example
2. Walk-through your home and try to judge it like a stranger would
Go through your home, room by room. Look for signs of damage that might drag down its value. We suggest looking for these common problem spots:
Room by room, go through your home and search for signs of damage that could potentially lower the value to someone else.
Looking for these common problem spots may help you get the most out of the sale of your home:
In addition, test the functionality of every room. Look for visible cracks in the walls or flooring, test doors in the home and make sure they shut properly, look for broken hardware and handles on cabinetry and anything else that doesn't seem to work perfectly and get them repaired. The cost to repair these simple items probably can save you thousands in the negotiating process.
Let us not forget about the outside of the dwelling! A lot of sellers tend to skip the outside conditioning of their home, but it is so important! Buyers ultimate first impressions are created when looking at photos online or when visiting the home and can be vital in a competitive market!
Preparing to sell your Boise home for the most
3. Don't be afraid of bringing in help by pros
After you've done your due diligence in looking for problem areas, have a professional contractor, electrician or plumber have a look, they can spot flaws that you have overlooked, because you may just be used to them or didn't realize thy could cause trouble. Your Realtor can give you their second opinion or have a home inspector do a pre-inspection to pinpoint any problems that could be present.
While costs vary, the typical price for a home inspection can run you about $300 to $500 dollars. In addition, your Realtor should be able to contact or recommend a reputable inspector in your area. Buying yourself peace of mind knowing you're not in for any surprises when you sell your Boise home, down the road it could be worth the cost. Most of all, having a home inspection report handy to show buyers can create confidence that they (and you by association) aren't in for any nasty surprises as you move on to a deal.
4. Decide what needs renovating
Once you have the knowledge of what needs repairs or an upgrade in your home, decide where to invest some cash. First of all, stay calm, not everything needs to be done before your home goes on the market. You may not be jumping up and down with excitement at the idea of renovating a property you're planning on selling, however certain fixes can and will give you an edge over your competition, which will bring better and multiple offers. Always remember, real estate is always an investment!
Furthermore, don't torment yourself over discernible things like your kitchen could use some newer cabinets. Especially relevant, many buyers will still want to tweak some of the cosmetic details to their own tastes and you could be throwing money down the drain. Maybe instead, try focusing on fix-it items that are less susceptible to personal preferences that buyers can feel comfortable knowing they are in good working condition. Painting your indoor rooms neutral colors can be a cost worthy investment as well.
Take another example for instance, a recent study by the National Association of Realtors® found that by upgrading your hardwood floors receives an estimated 100% return on investment, probably paying for itself! Upgrading the insulation of your home could potentially net you a 95% return on investment 'ROI', while installing a new roof can give you a massive 105%! And what buyers wouldn't love to know they've got a rock solid roof over their heads for years to come? Finally, go ahead and sell your Boise home with confidence because you've done the work to get top dollar for your home!
