Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
Flying the Coop
Downsizing has many up sides, but is it right for you?
So your nest is empty, but is downsizing right for you? The kids just graduated from college and you are now looking at life from a different lens. It is a lot to think about getting rid of a home that holds memories and space that you’ve been accustomed to for some time, so where to begin and is it the right choice for you?
Manageability. Do you really need a 3,000 sq ft of home at this time? Maybe you want something that is lower maintenance that won’t require as many man hours to keep up, like the yard and the cleaning and the home improvements on an older home.
Location. Location. Location. I’ve recently noticed a lot of older individuals moving into more urban properties. Perhaps you’ve grown weary of your evolving neighborhood. Maybe there aren’t a lot of activities to do there and you are looking for more walkability. Location is important when you are wanting more out of your home.
Absent but not Absent Minded. You are finally ready to go on your own adventure and whether it is traveling the world or becoming the snow bird you’ve always dreamed of, selling your home could be part of that equation.
Cash Prize. Downsizing could be a smart move if it makes for a lower mortgage payment. Extra cash means extra fun for you or pragmatically, strategize your long term care plan. It can also reduce utility bills and reduce unnecessary clutter.
Help Out the Youth. With inventory as low as it has been, buyers are eager to snatch up real estate as though it was the last roll of toilet paper during Covid times. Consider the ease of selling.
It Ain’t Just for the Old. Anytime anyone mentions downsizing, the image of an elderly couple waving goodbye to their children conjures, but honestly you may be downsizing for a variety of reasons including divorce, financial distress, or a change in lifestyle.
I Can Drive at 55. 55 is not an age I consider old, especially since I’m so close to it. Downsizing to a 55+ community could be an opportunity to make new friends, have some nice amenities, lower maintenance, and enjoy lower costs.
There are many reasons for downsizing and depending on where you are in your life will determine if this is the best option for you. It is time for you to dream and think of all the possibilities of not being tied down to something you may have needed out of necessity. I’m always here to help and ease the transition.
Listing Commandment: Thou Shall Update
Updating your home will add the most value to it’s sale. Put a little elbow grease and reap the rewards…
When I go on a Listing appointment, I have to be honest with my clients. If I were one myself, I surely wouldn’t want my agent to skirt around issues that may not be helpful in selling my house. Depending on the age and lived in status of your home, I usually suggest “improvements” to add value to your sale. Look, I know you don’t like homework. I get it, all you want to do is sell your house with minimal efforts and move on. As with all things this big in life, it is always good to plan ahead.
Kitchens and Bathrooms. It’s the two things in a home that most people pay the closest attention to when buying a house. They can be costly renovations from anywhere of $15K and upward. Any renovation can put a strain on your wallet, but some quick and simple amendments to your home can change the overall value of it. So ask yourself, do you want to get the greatest value for your home? I’d say, “duh”.
Here are a few suggestions to help enhance your home sale:
Painting is easy, a fresh coat of neutral paint goes a long way!
Radiators. If your radiators are no longer usable. Drain them and get rid of them. This will add space and ability to switch furniture around.
Windows. If you have any non functioning or broken windows, go ahead and replace them. This tends to show up on appraisal reports.
Update Light Fixtures. Take out those “boob” lights and replace them with modern chandeliers or pendant lights. If you have rooms that don’t have overhead lighting, seek to add it.
Repairs. If the toilet is broken, have it fixed. If you know of a roof leak, have it repaired. If little Johnny put his foot in the wall while pretending to be a Thundercat, mend it. If there are lights without bulbs or don’t work, fix it. Damage or non-working fixtures that will cause a buyer’s eye to wander can be easily replaced.
Borders. You bought in the 90’s and you never got rid of that kitchen floral border. My mom has this in three different rooms, I told her to remove it already!
Wallpaper. Wallpaper is a pretty chic addition these days, but if your wallpaper is from the 70’s giving you flashbacks of Aunt Mabel’s Jello casserole, you may want to get rid of it.
Carpet. If there are hardwoods, expose them. You can easily check this by simply pulling up a corner using a butter knife. I cannot tell you how many houses I show where buyers ask if there is hardwood underneath. If it was a newish installed carpet, have them steam cleaned. If you have dull looking hardwoods, have them refinished to give it a whole new refresh.
Dated Appliances and Systems. Find stainless at the Scratch n’ Dent or Marketplace, or you can check out some local estate sales and find some gently used ones. Replace old (15+ years) Heating and cooling systems as well as water heaters and washer/dryers with updated ones. You don’t want a buyer who enters a freezing cold living room during showings. The more energy efficient the better.
Cabinets. If you don’t replace them, paint them for a quick update. You can also add some nice pulls and handles to give it an extra oomph.
Countertops and Backsplashes. Consider replacing countertops with Quartz or Granite and add a tile backsplash to your kitchen or bathroom to add some color or texture to it.
Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures. Everything’s coming up brass/gold/black these days, so my suggestion would be to replace faucet, showerheads, towel racks, drawer/cabinet pulls with something elegant and modern. Just make sure it’s cohesive per room.
Source: Houzz
Create a functional foyer. If you have an actual foyer, make it functional. Add a makeshift mudroom, under stairs storage or pet kennel, or simply adding some contrast by battening the walls or adding wallpaper to your stairwell can enliven your entryway.
Add Built-ins. People love a flanked fireplace with built-ins. Consider your space and whether this would be a nice feature to add to your home’s look.
Add a patio or deck. This can be an inexpensive feat that will create an inviting option for potential buyers and add value. Who doesn’t love outdoor entertaining.
Sheds. Simply organizing a workshed to show off space and functionality can be beneficial. If you can recreate it into a home office, that would be highly desirable to a lot of buyers these days.
Other Simple Improvements
Ceiling Fans. If these are dated, replace them with more modern looking ones.
Replace Vinyl Flooring. Adding tile floors to bathrooms and kitchens is always a desired feature.
Knock out a wall. If it’s feasible to create an open space, do it. That particular floor plan has not died out.
Add Shelving. Add shelving to your laundry room if it doesn’t have it. Take out wire shelving in walk-ins and replace it with wooden ones. Gives it a whole other look.
Basements. Consider finishing it off, it’ll add to your square footage and can be marketed easily.
Spruce up your front porch. You want potential buyers to see themselves here and the front being the first impression, sets the mood for the entire showing. Fresh paint, nice seating, add a porch swing, some plants/flowers, update your house numbers, whatever will attract the neighbors for afternoon iced tea is the ticket.
Mailboxes. If your mailbox is falling off or looks like it’s still gets Reader’s Digest, upgrade it. There are many unique and pretty ones out there.
Front Doors. Paint them, it’ll make the front of your house look more attractive.
Landscaping. Mowed and black mulch will create quick and easy curb appeal. Add flowers for full effect.
Lastly, there are many things I ask clients to do before putting their houses on the market that include thinning it out, professional cleanings, stagings, getting rid of personal items, and so forth. It’s how I earn that commission check. A good agent will give you a tasklist and will be available for questions. A good agent also provides trustworthy resources to assist you in prepping your home for sale. Feel free to contact me and I’m happy to do a consult with you regarding the sale of your home.