Setting Your Home Up to Sell

Seattle is home to some of the most unique homes in the country, with many dating back over a century. These properties make wonderful homes but can present unique challenges to sellers, buyers, and even realtors. Luckily, The Chang Group revels in these challenges, and we are happy to share a few tips for setting up your home to reach its fullest market potential.

Simple Updates

Older homes have a natural charm but that does not mean there aren’t any easy updates that will make major improvements. A few obvious ones are a fresh coat of paint, updated light fixtures, and new appliances like a refrigerator or oven, and these updates can go a long way. However, there are a few less obvious ones that can be real difference makers. Replacing your old doors is a cost-effective way to enhance the overall charm of your home and can add a splash of color or be made into an artistic feature of your home. Thinking a bit smaller, sanding and refinishing trim and tile will make an older home look fresher while retaining its charm.

Home Inspection

A presale inspection will identify necessary repairs on your home before potential buyers even walk through the door. While it does entail an upfront cost, having a home pre-inspected can help expedite the buying process and make the home more enticing for buyers who will know that repairs are taken care of. On an older home, this can be a huge asset as it can help generate higher returns, as buyers will have less reason to try and knock dollars off the asking price due to wear and tear.

 Competitive Pricing

Setting a competitive price for your home is a seemingly straightforward way to maximize your return, but there is obviously nuance that goes into setting a price. An old home, in a popular neighborhood, with recent updates, that retains its historical character might have a higher listing price than you even realize. Researching recent home sales in the area and considering market trends can help inform your price and prevent you from listing too high, which could draw out the sales process, or listing too low and risk leaving money on the table.

Working With Experienced Agents

All these steps can help improve your home’s final sale price, but knowing which ones are truly necessary and which ones might cost you extra money without providing an extra return can be difficult. Working with an experienced real estate team, like The Chang Group, will help set you up for success. Expert advice on what your home needs to reach its sales potential, from inspections to listing price to reviewing offers, helps focus your sales journey so you won’t waste time on anything that does not need to be done.