The 80s called and they want their hair and decor back...said no one ever. No seller ever wants to get feedback from a prospective buyer about their home needing updates. But that is a common opinion expressed by potential buyers.
First of all there is one maxim about buying and selling anything...Buyers will always look for reasons to pay less while sellers will always look for reasons to charge more.
When preparing a home for the market knowledgeable sellers (and their agents) understand this and will counsel sellers on the art of preparing a home for the market.
Here are some articles relating to getting a house prepared to sell:
- Show Your Home. Not Your Everything!
- Impress Early, Close Sooner.
- Home Seller Tip: Vanilla with No Sprinkles, Please
- So Your Home is Not Perfect.
- Placing Your Home on The Market Without Preparing to Market
- Great Staging Will Not Overcome Deficiencies
- Selling Your Home is All About the Senses.
- Should a Seller Have a Pre-Listing Home Inspection?
- Don't Neglect These Items to Sell Your Melbourne, Florida Home
First of all do not confuse update with maintenance.
Deferred maintenance has a big price tag. If the roof needs replacement or the air conditioning does not work expect this to limit offers. And if an offer does come expect it to be reduced to reflect the defect plus the effort and time to repair. I have seen offers where buyers wanted a $1500 "credit" for a $250 fix.
What is the cost of updating? If it is purely cosmetic then the hit should not be as bad. Still, expect the hit to be substantial.
My suggestion when updates are anticipated...
Get estimates and price them in at the time of listing. With documentation to support the list price (comparable, estimates) a seller can proceed more confidently and get their Melbourne, Florida home sold.
Ready to sell your Melbourne, Florida home? Call text me at 321-693-3850 for your market analysis.
