Selling a house takes a lot of work, and owners need to be prepared to put in the time and effort necessary to get the most they can for their home. To make sure you don’t step into any amateur home seller pitfalls, let’s go over 4 maintenance mistakes homeowners make when selling their homes in Summerville.
Slack on Cleaning
This may seem pretty straightforward, but you would be surprised how many sellers don’t walk through their home with a buyer’s critical eye to discover anything that could be lacking in the cleaning department.
Do everything you can to not only clean but also declutter all living areas and storage spaces.
Sorting out your storage and closets can make a big difference when a buyer comes through and tries to estimate if the available storage will suit their needs. The last thing you want is for that buyer to take a quick look and instantly make the determination that your home won’t fit the bill.
You also want to take the further step of depersonalizing your home. Depersonalizing means removing any family photos, heirlooms, and other items of high sentimental value.
We want buyers to have as few roadblocks as possible to them thinking up what it would be like for them to live there, and having these very personal items around can put a damper on that process.
Major Renovations
There are those owners out there who feel there’s no way they have a chance at selling their house without a serious overhaul of a specific room or the entire house.
Let’s put those feelings to bed and do our best to curb the urge to push the design envelope – as well as your short-term budget – by doing a floor-to-ceiling renovation.
If you’re dealing with an extremely out-of-date kitchen or bathroom, you could make small updates such as installing new light fixtures or replacing vintage cabinet hardware to help out the situation. Any money you choose to spend now is unlikely to be recouped through the sale of the home.
If you absolutely feel you must do something to bring your home into the current year, consider one of the simplest and most cost-effective options on the table: repaint in a neutral tone.
Ignore or Cover-up Critical Repairs
If you are aware of any serious repairs that are needed, it’s best to take care of them now rather than let buyers discover them on their own.
Letting an existing issue fester over time is going to do nothing but cause you grief once negotiations are underway, assuming a needed repair doesn’t scare off potential buyers in the first place. If you’re finding yourself in a situation where the repair would be extremely cost-prohibitive, be upfront with buyers about the circumstances and do your best to work things in your favor during negotiation.
Do not try to be evasive or tell half-truths if asked pointed questions about issues with the home. Eroding a buyer’s trust in both the property and you, the seller, is one of the biggest maintenance mistakes you can make.
Ignore the Exterior
Every real estate professional will tell you that curb appeal can make a world of difference.
The first impression your home gives off as a potential buyer walks up to the front door sets the tone for the remainder of any showing.
To get things in pristine shape, mow the lawn, lay new landscaping fabric and mulch, and pressure wash the siding, gutters, and all walkways. Add a final bit of shine by wiping down your exterior windows with a quality glass cleaner.
With all of these things done, the important part is to make sure they stay that way until the final paperwork is signed.
Help Avoiding Maintenance Mistakes When Selling in Summerville
If you’re looking for someone to help you understand which maintenance mistakes to avoid when selling your Summerville house, contact us today at (843) 696-1487!