Selling your home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be a stressful one. It’s normal to have concerns about ensuring that the offers you receive are strong, serious, and competitive. Getting a good initial offer is crucial because it can set the tone for the rest of the transaction and ensure that you get a substantial return on investment.
It's important to prepare your home properly for sale to increase your chances of getting a great initial offer. This article will explore several home improvement strategies and describe how you can make changes to ensure that you make a positive impression on potential buyers and increase your chances of landing a stellar offer.
Make repairs and replacements
When you decide to sell your home, it might be tempting to ignore any problems in your home. After all, you won’t be residing there anymore, so it will just be the next person’s problem, right? But that line of thought can negatively influence the offers you receive. Your home inspection report will reflect any problems, and those problems will not go unnoticed by potential buyers. And while repairs to big-ticket items like the infrastructure, plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrics are crucial, you’ll also want to take the time to make positive changes to the aesthetic elements of your home. Paint over any marks on your walls, clean or replace any old or dirty carpet, and repair any dings or dents. By making repairs on aspects of your home that aren’t in the greatest shape, you can put yourself in the best possible position for a strong initial offer.
Invest in updates and upgrades
Repairs are essential, but you shouldn’t forget about the power of making updates where necessary. Buyers expect top-of-the-line finishes and amenities, and if your home is outdated or lacks modern conveniences, it could negatively affect your initial offer. Consider investing in upgrades that will make it more attractive to potential buyers. This could include high-end appliances, luxury finishes, or advanced home automation systems. Investing in these upgrades might carry a high upfront cost, but it will surely pay off when you receive that initial offer on your home.
Talk to a professional real estate agent about who your target buyer is and what kind of upgrades are likely to carry the best return on investment for your market. For example, Malibu homes for sale would benefit from outdoor upgrades allowing the next homeowner to take advantage of the area’s stunning natural beauty. These kinds of investments will surely pay off in the form of a better initial offer.
Double down on curb appeal
First impressions are everything. The outside of your home will be the very first thing potential buyers see when they attend a showing at your house, and most of the time, it’s the very first photo they see when browsing properties online. That’s why it is crucial not to forget about the power of curb appeal when it comes to impressing buyers and cementing and satisfactory initial offer. It’s so powerful that 92% of realtors recommend doing the work to improve curb appeal.
Improve your landscaping by trimming shrubs, cutting grass, and adding fresh mulch. You might even consider planning new flowers to make the area look more inviting. Curb appeal also extends beyond just your front yard. Remove any built-up dirt and grime by power washing your driveway, repainting your front door, and updating external fixtures like your mailbox or lighting. All these small changes can make your home stand out and create a positive first impression that will appeal to potential buyers.
Rethink your home’s staging and decor
After living in your home for many years, your home transforms to reflect your own personality and preferences. When you sell it, it might seem easier to show the home as is. However, one crucial change you can make is to stage your home strategically. Buyers should be able to look at your home and envision themselves living there. If the current owner’s personality is too visible in the home’s décor and staging, that can make it harder for potential buyers to see how they can make the home their own, which can make it more difficult for them to place an offer.
To start, remove any obvious personal items, like family photos and memorabilia, to make each room feel like a blank slate. You should also remove anything religiously or politically affiliated to avoid alienating potential buyers. Remember, you want your home to feel like a neutral space without any distractions that might detract from its features. By decluttering, depersonalizing, and rearranging furniture and décor, you can make your home look as appealing as possible, increasing buyer interest and improving your initial offer.
Replace mobile photos with professional content
In today’s day and age, taking decent photos is as easy as pulling your phone out of your pocket. However, while decent photos might snag you a decent offer, great photos will surely get you a great offer. Invest in a professional real estate photographer. They will be able to utilize light, angles, and staging to ensure that your home is represented in the best possible way. High-quality photos will help attract serious potential buyers and increase the odds of an initial offer that beats your expectations.
You also might consider investing in a real estate videographer. Video marketing is a service that can provide potential buyers with a high-quality virtual tour of your home that will make them feel like they are really there, even if they are just at home browsing on their computers. This makes it easier for them to imagine themselves living there and can showcase your home in the most detailed way possible.
Hire a professional real estate agent
While you might think that selling your home on your own is a great way to save money on realtor fees and commission, the reality is that selling your home is one of the most important and complex transactions of your life. Hiring a professional real estate professional to guide you through the process can be the difference between a good experience and a bad one. They can provide valuable insights into the local real estate market, help you price your home correctly, and negotiate on your behalf. Not only that, but they can also advertise homes for sale, bring in potential buyers, and increase your chances of receiving an initial offer you are happy with. Reach out to Bill & Daniel Moss for more information on how their expertise can help you get the best possible initial offer on your home.
