Increase the Value of Your Austin Home
Each Austin home has unique features a REALTOR® can maximize to increase its value on the market. Your REALTOR® will research competing houses for sale in Austin, Texas and may suggest updates that are likely to attract buyers. Below are just a few of the ways your REALTOR® can help you increase the value of your real estate.
First impressions and "curb appeal"
Your home’s exterior will make an impression on potential buyers before they ever walk though your door. From the outside in, your home should be ready to show. Consider improving the "curb appeal" of your home in these simple ways:
Put a fresh coat of paint on the doors
Place potted plants around the walkway
Mow the lawn and trim the shrubs
Clean the windows and make sure the curtains are in place
Checking the roof for any missing shingles or fallen branches
Rake the leaves and sweep the porch
Keep ponds and pools clean
With just a little elbow grease, you can tremendously improve the look and feel of your home for potential buyers. Because each house in Austin is different, your REALTOR® can recommend simple upgrades that work best for your home.
De-clutter and de-personalize
For most sellers, this is one of the hardest steps in the selling process. Removing clutter and personal items, such as family photos and collections, allows buyers to easily picture themselves living in the home. Avoid simply throwing belongings in the closet or garage, because buyers will be looking in storage space, too. Also, make sure there are no dishes in the sink, no laundry in the washer or dryer and no piles of dirty clothes waiting to be washed. One advantage to working with a REALTOR® is that he or she can help you keep you home your Austin real estate buyer-ready. Your REALTOR® may also bring in a home stager to rearrange and update the inside of the house.
Smell, sight and sound
It can be hard to recognize the little things that could deter potential buyers when you are accustomed to your home’s sights and smells. However, buyers’ senses will be alert as they evaluate what could be the largest investment they will ever make. The following tips can make your Austin home as welcoming as possible:
Smell – If you cook with garlic or other strong spices, air out your home before a buyer visits. Consider removing pets during the showing process; buyers may not be used to pet odors or worse, they may be allergic.
Sight – Make sure there is plenty of light throughout your home. Remember that natural light makes people comfortable and happy. Also, change out light bulbs and fix faulty wiring. Ask your REALTOR® for simple decorating tips that can increase visual appeal.
Sound – Creaking cabinets, dripping faucets and loud appliances are all things that buyers hate to hear. Your REALTOR® can help point out these noises and suggest cost-effective ways to eliminate them.
The most important rooms
A REALTOR® knows how to bring out the right colors, rearrange furniture and suggest updates to maximize your home’s most important rooms. A REALTOR® will also know how to market the architectural design and function of the rooms in your house to conform with what potential buyers are looking for. The rooms buyers are most interested in are bathrooms, master bedrooms and living rooms. Bathrooms sell homes in Austin, so make sure yours sparkles. Bedrooms need to be spacious and welcoming. The living room needs to be comfortable yet simple so buyers can imagine their own belongings fitting in.
Easy fixes
Your REALTOR® can suggest easy, inexpensive fixes that can make a huge difference in the appeal of your home. Installing new cabinet or door knobs, placing new slipcovers on sofas and keeping a vase of fresh flowers in the entryway are simple improvements that go a long way to improving the look of your home. Fresh paint, too, is an inexpensive update that adds value to Austin real estate.
Appliances
It is essential to perform routine checks on home appliances before putting your house on the market. Make sure the air conditioning and heater are working, as well as fans and lights. You may also want to consider updating or replacing appliances. Technology is constantly changing and new appliances impress buyers. In fact, investing in appliances can actually increase the sale price of your home. Your REALTOR® can emphasize these features in the marketing plan for your home.
The bottom line is that investing time and effort in improving the marketability of your property really pays off. Keep in mind that if you are unwilling to fix something, the buyer may expect a price decrease to make up for it. Your REALTOR® can suggest updates that fit into your budget, effectively market your home’s unique features and negotiate renovations into the transaction. By utilizing your REALTOR®’S expertise in the home-selling process, you can ready your Austin home for sale in no time.