The Show Ready Home: Repairs and Updates
The Show Ready Home: Repairs and Updates
The first step in selling a home is educating your clients about the process. A good agemt understands that there is a lot that needs to be done to prepare a home for market, but the real trick is to simply convey the importance of good preparation and the how-to’s of getting the home ready, One aspect of getting the home show-ready includes performing some repairs and possibly some updates. Your client should be instructed to objectively assess his/her home’s condition with regard to landscaping, exterior, and interior. Once your client has surveyed the home you will next need to help him/her prioritize the home’s needs based on 1) ease of repair, 2) cost, and 3) impact on the buyer. Here are some tips to share with your client to help him/her determine where to begin.
Ease of Repair
There are many simple things that can be DIY projects. start with the home’s exterior and landscaping since a buyer’s first impression is a lasting one and even minor improvements to these areas will make a huge difference. Keep the grass cut and fill in any dead spots with a little sod. Pull all weeds, trim bushes, and plant some low maintenance flowers. Painting the exterior can be expensive, but a buyer may just keep on driving if they pull up to a home with peeling paint. Remember: A home’s exterior is a preview of a home’s interior.
Easy interior fixes mostly involve cleaning. Any trace of dirt or staining on carpet, counters, sinks, etc. is a big turn off. With a little bit of cleaning solution and elbow grease, you should be able to restore most surfaces to their former glory.
Cost
If you are working with a tight budget you can freshen up walls and even cabinets with a coat of paint. Stick to neutral colors and don’t forget about the trim. Buying paint with built-in primer will save you time and effort. Be sure you are painting on a clean, dry surface and if you are painting cabinets you will need to lightly sand the surface first.
Impact on Buyer
Buyers are typically very concerned with the aesthetics and functionality of kitchens and bathrooms so your updating and repair efforts in these rooms may just pay for themselves with a higher sales price. As before, updates and fixes don’t have to cost a lot. Cleaning and painting will go a long way.
Secondly, updating cabinet hardware and light fixtures can be very inexpensive, but can have a big impact. Stick to one finish, such as oil-rubbed bronze, chrome, or brushed nickel, and stick to a classic style. If you can’t afford to replace all fixtures, start with ones in the main living areas. If the style of existing fixtures is nice you can also consider spray-painting them—just be objective regarding the finished product—it may not look as good as you think.
The last thing that may need to be addressed is your carpet. This can be costly, but new carpet will have a huge impact on your buyer. You need to consider carpet replacement if your carpet is more than 5 years old in high traffic areas, if it looks matted down, if it is bunching up or fraying, if it is stained, or if you have pets.
In summary, selling a home is a big undertaking that can be overwhelming to sellers if they do not develop a plan. Give your sellers 2-3 months to get their home show-ready and make sure they are strategic about their repairs. Major home blemishes should obviously be first on their list, but also have them consider completing the repairs that are minor in terms of cost and time. Once your sellers have a repair plan, give them a goal date for item competition. Check in with them periodically and instruct them to not overdo the updates—a home should look and feel classic, neutral, and clean.
Contact Lemondrop Home for staging consultation. We can help you get your home ready for sale and we can walk you through these showing guidelines so your house is presented in the best possible light to make a lasting a positive first impression. You can call us at 816.309.4985 or you can email us at rebecca@lemondrophome.com