Selling a Home That's Not In Tip-Top Shape

In our current economic climate, it's important to be realistic about what it takes to sell your home quickly, if at all. Buyers are looking for a great deal and beautiful home, all in one, and in a buyer’s  market, they’re getting what they ask for. If you’re looking to sell a home that’s in need of some repair, it's not always necessary to spend a lot of money or to make major renovations in order to make the sale. Often, investing too much can make it difficult to obtain a good return on improvement investment. Instead, you'll want to focus on minor projects that you can do yourself which can spruce up the home enough to emphasize its sales appeal.

Here are some suggestions:

• Organize and declutter your home. You may need help in this area so get friends to chip in, or consider hired help. Getting clutter out of the way is a huge step toward making any home look presentable; in homes that need other repairs, removing extraneous “stuff” maximizes space and refocuses buyers on what’s right about the home, instead of what’s wrong.
• Clean and re-clean. Dirt and selling a home never mix. Regardless of what sorts of repairs or upgrades your home may need, a dirty, dusty or grimy home is never going to attract positive buyer attention. Take the time to clean each and every room thoroughly, beginning at the top, working down to the floor, and moving from the room’s farthest corner to the doorway. Every surface in the room should be dusted, wiped, scrubbed, swept or vacuumed. You’d be surprised how a good cleaning job can perk up a house that had seemed resolutely disheveled.
• Focus on the bathroom and kitchen. These two rooms are often the deal makers or the deal breakers for many buyers. In worn or tired bathrooms, a simple replacement of the lighting fixtures, the washstand, and the water fixtures can make a huge difference, moving the room from outdated to contemporary. In the kitchen, an upgraded swap of appliances or a revamp of the counters can do wonders for a kitchen that seems hindered by concerns about space or aesthetics.
• Hire a real estate agent. A professional can help by serving as a project manager for your home’s marketing. An agent that can offer honest advice can save you money on misguided efforts to increase the value of your property; for example, re-facing cabinets may not be necessary when paint will do the job. Let your agent guide you as to what buyers in your neighborhood and price range want and expect, and follow those clues to decide where to allocate your project time and dollars.
• Give buyers the ability to view your home online. Many prospective buyers won't even come out to see your property without viewing it first online. Giving this option will increase the pool of buyers who visit your property, increasing your overall chances of selling the home. Don’t be afraid that the condition of your home will turn people away. With the right photos emphasizing the right aspects of your home, you’ll draw in interested buyers who aren’t afraid of a home that needs a little work.
• Help buyers see your new homes potential. Consider giving buyers estimates for needed improvements; if buyers know what the property could be like (and at what price), the potential of your property becomes very tangible and also very attractive.