WHEN TO SELL
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 range of tastes . A good place to start is with the appliances . Realtor . com states that homes with stainless steel appliances sell 15 percent faster than those without . Updated bathrooms are easier to satisfy a wider range of buyers ’ desires for luxury , but be sure to keep the colors neutral .
9 . SELLING : Don ’ t spend earnest money !
Many sellers make the mistake of depositing and spending earnest money before closing day . If the transaction doesn ’ t go through or the buyer pulls out due to repair issues , it is up to the seller to return the cash . It is recommended to have a real estate agent or broker hold the deposit . Most buyers ’ earnest money will be held in an escrow account until the closing day , allowing the money to remain untouched by either party .
10 . SELLING : Consider names and numbers .
Just when you think you ’ ve checked all the boxes for an easy sell of your house , take a second look at your address . According to Zillow , street names and house numbers matter ! If you happen to live at 666 Fanny Hands Lane , you may be out of luck ( however that particular street is in the United Kingdom , so you should be safe ). Innuendo-laden street names tend to not sell as quickly as something like Thunder Road , for example . American numerology says that 666 is bad luck and could decrease the value of your home by 2 to 3 percent . Also , steer clear of the number 4 , considered unlucky in Chinese culture . Stick to the number 8 , or include the lucky digits 316 in your asking price ! n
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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 .
West Mifflin | Summer 2017 | icmags . com 17