Selling a house has
hidden costs, but planning ahead can eliminate last minute worries. A new study
by Zillow and Thumbtack (an online site matching local professionals to
customers), the average cost of covering basic projects—painting, staging your
home, carpet cleaning, lawn care and gardening, and local moving costs—was
$4,985 for sellers who hire professional help.
The analysis showed
a range of an average high of $6,580 in San Jose and a low of $3,720 in Dallas.
But before you spend money on updating the look of a home, review the
foundational elements that make or break a house to see how much you really
need to spend.
First, look at
smaller things. The faucets shouldn't drip and all fixtures should be in
working order. Windows should not be broken or cracked. Fans should not wobble
or make noise.
Next, look at higher
price items. The heating and air conditioning should work. Walls and ceilings
should be presentable. Appliances should all work. If you can, gather
information about the age and maintenance/repair history of these items—this is
a selling point for a prospective buyer.
Then look at the
roof. The condition of the roof is crucial to getting the best price. The
downside? A new roof is expensive. But it could be money well-spent. If a buyer
has the option of buying a similar house at a similar price with a good roof,
it's unlikely they'll choose a home they have to re-roof. Even if you adjust
the price of your home to accommodate a new roof, chances are the final selling
price could take a hit for more than the cost of the roof.
After addressing the
major items, put decluttering at the top of your list. Have a yard sale or put
valuable items on eBay. For serious bulk removal, call a trash hauling company.
The key to decluttering is to be ruthless in choosing what to keep and what to
get rid of. Yes, you could repair that old string trimmer. And you could
probably use those 2x4s somewhere,
but the question is, do you really want to move them? A decluttered property
and outbuildings allows your property to show to advantage and helps support
your sales price.
If necessary,
repaint the interior with a neutral color. It’s difficult to overstate how
important this is to buyers. Buyers want homes that are move-in ready. Red,
blue, and green walls may have suited your taste, but the general buying public
wants warm, neutral tones.
Clean or replace the
carpet. Cleaning will often suffice, but if the carpet is obviously worn,
frayed, or faded, it’s time to replace it. Yes, this can be an expensive item,
but buyers tend to overestimate replacement costs, which will result in a
discounted offer.
Here’s the bottom
line: Spending money upfront, before putting your home on the market, will
bring you a substantial return on your investment. The alternative—offering an
updating or remodeling credit or “adjusting” the price to offset the condition
of your home—usually results in a lower net dollar amount at sale than if you
had done the work upfront and obtained the highest possible price for your home.
For more information and a free market update of your home or neighborhood, call or text Jill Reid at 813-244-9561 or send an email to JillReid@JillReid.com
The Jill Reid Group - Exceptional Real Estate
www.JillReidGroup.com