You don’t have to sell your home right now. You would like to, but you can wait until the market turns around and you have a better chance at getting a higher price for your home. I don’t blame you and if you don’t have to sell right now, then don’t.
In the meantime, are there some things that you can do to not only improve your home, but make it more attractive to buyers in the near future and increase the value? You bet, says Chuck St. John of CSJ Home Improvement, LLC.
Chuck says that this should be broken down to two categories: ‘normal upkeep’ and ‘improvement’. St. John says that unfortunately, many people who are getting ready to sell their homes start to neglect it. Instead of fixing things like they are going to be living in that home for another 10 to 20 years, they may let some things go because they know that they are going to sell it in the next year or two. This is a common mistake because home inspectors can see a house that has been neglected a mile away and that may be just enough to kill a deal. Besides, you want to make sure that your home shows better than the rest of your competition. Paying attention to details always pays off and helps a home show better than the rest. Chuck’s first tip is to have an inspection even though you are not selling the home. A good home inspector should be able to give you a solid list of items that need attention or maintenance. His second tip is to have someone with an unbiased opinion walk your home and list what needs to be replaced or repaired from a cosmetic standpoint.
Finally, St. John says that improving any of the following areas in a home will only add value and help get the house sold. Remodeling kitchens and bathrooms tops the list. Flooring and painting always get noticed. A new furnace and/or hot water heater are good attention getters. Outside new paint and a new roof tops the priorities list.
The takeaway message here is to use this time while you are waiting for the market to turn around to improve your own home. You’ll be glad you did.
Dan Polimino is a Realtor with Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty. He can be reached at DPolimino@fullerproperties.com and www.coloradodreamhouse.com/denverpost
