If you're getting ready to put your house on the market, your real estate agent will create a focused marketing plan that will help attract interested prospects to your home. Although your agent will tap into a variety of resources to make it widely known that your house is for sale, there's information you can provide which will help them present it in its best possible light.
Specifically, I'm talking about the things that make prospective buyers perk up, such as HVAC system upgrades, major home improvements, and decorating updates. If you've kept good records about rooms you've remodeled, fixtures you've replaced, and any structural, cosmetic, or mechanical upgrades you've made over the years, it would be helpful to itemize those improvements and share them with your Realtor or real estate agent.
Unless your home was newly constructed when you bought it, chances are you've made numerous changes. Here are examples of some of the types of information you'll want to pass along to your agent:
- The age of the roof: There are a lot of variables, when it comes to the life expectancy of roofing materials. With harsh weather conditions -- including sweltering summer days and annual ice buildups -- Mother Nature subjects your roof to a lot of wear and tear. If it's been more than 20 years since your roof was last replaced, the shingles are probably starting to show visible signs of deterioration. That's definitely not a selling point for prospective buyers. What house hunters do love to hear is that the roof is relatively new and has been replaced within the past five years. Although prices vary and can run higher, roofs typically cost at least $10,000 to replace. Many potential buyers would be turned off by the prospect of having to shell out that kind of money after they close on the house. Others might use that as a bargaining chip to get you to lower your asking price. In either case, an old roof puts you at a disadvantage.
- Completed remodeling projects: Although some home buyers thrive on the idea of renovating a property themselves, most would prefer an updated home. Recently remodeled bathrooms and kitchens will make your house much more appealing and marketable to would-be buyers. If those closely scrutinized rooms look dated or poorly maintained, you can be sure that will negatively impact the selling price and/or the amount of time your house stays on the market.
- Mechanical and electrical upgrades: People like to hear about improvements like a new central air conditioning system, a furnace replacement, or an upgraded electrical panel. These can all be major selling points, especially among prospective buyers who have had trouble with any of these vital systems in the past.
- Miscellaneous: Other features that could help sell your house may include energy-efficient windows, new flooring, lighting, security systems, room additions, a new driveway or walkways, a finished basement or attic, basement waterproofing, new siding, fencing, patios, porches, and landscaping improvements.
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Nicole Lane
Nicole Lane, your number one source for Festus Real Estate, Hillsboro Real Estate, Barnhart Real Estate, Pevely Real Estate, Herculaneun Real Estate, Crystal City Real Estate, and surrounding towns.