Tips for Colorado Springs Home Sellers
Advice from a Real Estate Agent and Appraiser
As a real estate agent and appraiser, I am often asked by Colorado Springs home sellers, “What improvements can I make to my home so that it will sell better?” It is a hard question to answer. Every neighborhood and every market is a little bit different. However, here are a few general suggestions to help you sell your home.
Improvements
If you are trying to do improvements you want to consider the items that will get you the best return on your money. There are two main areas look at that improve value; kitchens and bathrooms.
- Kitchens. Make sure that the kitchen has been updated if at all possible. People buy kitchens. It is one of most important aspects of a home purchase for many buyers. If a kitchen is dated, you need to update it. If the cabinets are structurally sound, consider getting them refaced. If the counters are old, replacing them will change the feel of the whole room.
- Bathrooms. Bathrooms are less important than kitchens, but still make a huge impression. If you are contemplating additional improvements beyond the kitchen, Colorado Springs home sellers need to make sure that the bathroom looks good.
Additional Improvements
- Paint. Check to make sure both the outside and inside look nice. If you can only focus on one, and the outside is in average condition for the neighborhood, focus on the inside. Most buyers spend more time looking at the inside of the home than they do the exterior.
- Flooring. After all of the above are completed, look at flooring next. First replace any worn carpet. Next consider replacing vinyl with wood or Pergo flooring. Also consider using tile or tile accents. Colorado Springs home sellers should choose neutral colors (ivory, beige) that will appeal to almost any buyer.
Some Additional Tips
- First impressions count. One other item to consider is curb appeal. How does the house look when you drive up to it? I recommend adding flowers to the front of a home. That conveys an impression that the home is warm and inviting. Make sure the lawn is mowed, even if it is not in perfect condition. Look at the trim and the gutters and make sure that they look good. You don’t want to lose buyers before they even see the interior of the home. Make sure the interior of the home is very (exceptionally) clean. Make sure the home smells good. If you have pets, make sure that prospective buyers can’t smell them. Last time I was looking for a house, I almost turned around and left when I smelled a cat when I walked in.
- Get rid of the clutter both inside and out. Remove items from around the house and yard that make the house appear small. Too much furniture in your living room? Store some of it in a storage unit or at someone else’s house. Small backyard? Make sure there is nothing in the yard to make it look smaller (like a play set or trampoline).
- Reduce personal items. You want prospective buyers to be able to envision themselves in your house. This is no longer your home. It is now a financial resource. Take down personal pictures and items that remind buyers that this is not where they live. Colorado Springs home sellers want buyers to envision living in the house.
- Don’t focus on these items. Some items that improve a home, but don’t improve resale value significantly are new windows, improvements to (or replacing) decks (assuming the existing deck is in average condition) and air conditioning. They are nice features, but will not provide the same return on investment as they cost. Many Colorado Springs home sellers don’t realize that air conditioning is a nice feature but is not mandatory. Many home buyers will not be thinking of the A/C when they make a decision to place an offer on your home.
Finally, make sure you have an effective real estate agent. You want your agent to be able to share with you how he will market your home. You want a Colorado Springs Realtor who will truly represent your interests. Make sure that the home is priced fairly. Trust your agent. One of the worst things you can do is believe that your house is worth more than it is and price it too high. A house that just sits isn’t going to do you any good.
Colorado Springs home sellers, find an agent you can trust!
Buy or Sell a House in Colorado Springs
A Bit of Advice: Work with someone you like.
Since buying or selling a home is an extremely personal process, you really should work with someone you like.
I would love the chance to help you find that person. Since I am not an active real estate agent in Colorado Springs, you can talk to me with no pressure.
I’ll help you get the information you are looking for and then hook you up with a real estate agent when you are ready. It doesn’t get any easier than that.