IN Upper St. Clair Summer 2017 | Page 43

WHEN TO SELL
SPECIAL SECTION : REAL ESTATE
7 . SELLING : Ignore the housing market .
Don ’ t waste your time watching the housing market for the best time to sell . According to Investopedia , “ it doesn ’ t matter what your home is worth at any given moment except the moment when you sell it . Being able to choose when you sell your home , rather than being forced to sell it due to job relocation or financial distress , will be the biggest determinant of whether you will see a solid profit from your investment .”
8 . SELLING : Will renovating always increase my resale value ?
Make conscious decisions when renovating your home . While newer will entice potential buyers , be cognizant of what rooms you update and how you do it . An updated kitchen will increase the value of your home , but be sure to appeal to a wide
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WHEN TO SELL
Current homeowners have a positive outlook with the real estate market on the up and up . Keep in mind these real estate selling tips before your house goes on the market .
1 . Keep it clean ! It ’ s easy for life to take over and daily chores to fall by the wayside . Don ’ t let this spoil your goal of selling your home . Kids , pets and messy spouses should be kept at bay during peak viewing hours . Finding it hard to live at home while trying to sell ? Invest in a few extra storage bins with decorative flair to keep toys , clothes and shoes out of sight to potential buyers .
2 . Where possible , take the home out of your house . Remember , buyers are buying their new home , not your old home . Get a head start on moving out by putting trinkets and collectibles in the basement and giving potential buyers the ability to picture their own unique personalities in the space . Closets are an important selling feature , so start packing away off-season clothing to give closets the appearance of more space .
3 . Make smart upgrades . Make moderate upgrades that speak to the current market of buyers . Replace old carpets with new hardwood or laminate flooring . Invest in a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint for bedrooms and common areas . Fix broken closet doors , replace outdated hardware with sleek new knobs and handles , and clean your mirrors and windows . Thinking small will deliver big payback .
4 . Cooks in the kitchen . Every cook wants a nice kitchen . If you have some money to spend , think about upgrading flooring and countertops to match current styles . Think about upgrading one or two key appliances to stainless steel . Don ’ t have much money to spend ? Good-quality cabinets can always be painted or updated with new hardware . The upgrades will be worth it .
5 . First things first . You want to capture potential buyers the minute they pull up to your house . Keep the lawn tidy and plant a few flowers to make your home approachable . Light a candle or add fresh-cut flowers to the main entrances or common areas of your home to make it feel more inviting .
Upper St . Clair | Summer 2017 | icmags . com 41