Houses can be a lot like kids’ shoes: They start out fitting
just right, but they can be outgrown over time. If you’ve been
feeling the pinch lately, maybe it’s time to start thinking about
selling
– even if you won’t be putting your home on the market for
another year or more.
Houses can be a lot like kids’ shoes: They start out fitting just right, but they can be outgrown over time. If you’ve been feeling the pinch lately, maybe it’s time to start thinking about selling – even if you won’t be putting your home on the market for another year or more.
“There are definitely investments you can make in a house that will pay for themselves when it comes time to put it on the market,” said Kerry Duerr, a real-estate agent with Alain Pinel Realtors in Morgan Hill. “They can make the difference between selling the house and having it sit on the market for a long time. If you plan ahead for these things, you can find new appliances on sale and take the time to get bids from various contractors so you’re not paying higher rates just because you’re in a hurry.”
It’s important not to give buyers a reason to dismiss your home, because competition is fierce, Duerr said. Three years ago, about 40 homes were for sale in Gilroy. Today, there are more than 240 homes for sale.
“If there are things that buyers will have to change or upgrade, they’ll use that as a negotiating tool to give you a lower price,” she explained. “If things are already updated and improved, you’re more likely to get what you’re asking.”
So if putting your home on the market is a probability in the near future, here are a few things to starting thinking about now:
– “You definitely don’t want old, avocado green appliances in the kitchen, and 1970s-era tile on the counters,” Duerr said. “It’ll be worth the time and effort to upgrade those things.”
– If the carpeting is in bad shape, consider replacing it with new carpeting or hardwood floors, which are very popular, Duerr said.
– Low-flow toilets are environmentally friendly and a smart investment.
– “Getting the drainage around a house fixed is the call I get most often when people are planning to sell,” said Steve McDonald, owner of McDonald Landscaping in Hollister. “A lot of people find out they’ve got the problem when they have a property inspection done. Bad drainage can cause mold and foundation problems, so it’s a big issue. You can spend as much as $3,000 to $5,000 fixing the drainage, but you’ll be paying way more if the yard floods and causes other damage.”
– The backyard is a home’s outdoor living space, so investing in the right plants and having a professional do landscape design can add to a home’s value, McDonald said, especially in California where people like to spend time outside.
– Remember that though trees can be an asset to a home, they need to be put in the right place. Be aware that growing roots can cause damage to plumbing and foundations, McDonald said. A well-placed tree can offer a house shade, lowering air conditioning costs.
– “Granite counters in the kitchen are really popular and they’re in a lot of the new houses going on the market, as are tile and hardwood floors,” said Katherine McBride, a real-estate agent with Century 21 Premier in Gilroy. “Your house will be competing with these brand new homes, so you have to put yourself in the buyers shoes and figure out what will make them want your house over a new one.”
– Stainless steel kitchen appliances are a solid investment that you should easily get back when it comes time to sell, McBride said.
– If you want to do upgrades you can take with you when you move, try some new throw pillows on furniture and a removable island in the kitchen.
– If you’re going to go big with your upgrades, try a new roof, add a bathroom if your home only has one bathroom or install energy-efficient windows.
“Things that are ‘green’ are really catching on,” McBride said. “Invest in things that will help a house be more energy-efficient. I just sold a house that had a solar-heated pool, and that was a big plus for the buyer.”
