The thought of living in Idaho is appealing to many people, especially those who are relocating to the area. The market is hot, and people who are selling their homes are in the driver’s seat. However, just because our market favors sellers doesn’t mean there aren’t tips or suggestions buyers would give to sellers if they could.
Below are eleven things prospective homebuyers would tell sellers
Home Seller Tips and Advice
Stage the Home
Whether you’re holding an open house or not, it’s a good idea to stage the home to make it look appealing to potential buyers. As the expression goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and even professional photos can be elevated with the proper staging of the home.
Staging a home can be as simple as making sure furniture is positioned appropriately. Beds are made. Windows are open, etc. Making sure furniture is appropriate for the rooms they reside in is also an important consideration. Furthermore, reducing the number of personal items such as collections, personal photographs, etc., can help potential buyers visualize themselves in your home. This post has some great tips on staging your home.
Reduce the Clutter
Yes, homebuyers appreciate that a home is lived in, but since storage is a significant concern of many people buying homes, a cluttered home may turn some people off. Cleaning up, putting things away, and even putting excess items in storage will help bring out the best in the house. Removing unneeded furniture, packing up clothes, etc., will go a long way in making the home more appealing and maximizing offers.
Clear out the Closets
This kind of goes hand in hand with the point made above, but having closets stuffed with clothes, shoes, purses, etc., may give people the idea that the space is too small. Remember, buyers want to imagine themselves in the home, and less is more when it comes to the area.
Clean the House
Much like clearing out the clutter, cleaning the house is essential. Vacuuming, dusting, wiping down counters, and especially cleaning the windows will help maximize the home’s appeal.
What’s Been Updated/Improved?
Having a list of items that have been updated since you’ve lived in the home would be extremely useful to potential buyers. Did you add a hot tub? Did you have the roof replaced? Did you install new cabinets? Did you upgrade the appliances? Was a room added? How about skylights or solar panels?
Calling out any modifications or improvements done to the home can be beneficial in negotiations. The house that went from Whirlpool appliances to Viking is definitely an upgrade worth mentioning. Also, noting who made the improvements would be helpful if there were any issues down the road. Of course, it also allows buyers to do a little background research to see the vendors’ reputations that did the work.
How Old Is the…?
This is a common question that’s sadly not answered very frequently. Many people assume that everything in the home is original. As mentioned above, taking care to note any improvements or significant repairs to the house would be helpful to potential buyers as they can then factor in any items that will need to be replaced or repaired while they live in the home.
Some of the items people want to know the ages of include major appliances (range, stove, etc.), the roof, the HVAC system (both the furnace and A/C), water heater, flooring, water softener (if installed), pool/spa (if applicable), etc. If these items were original with the home, they’re still the same age as the house.
What are Services that are Currently Used?
If you’re using a lawn care service, having windows cleaned, pest control, or using a particular HVAC service company, it’s good to know what companies are providing the service. Since these people regularly maintain the home, it makes sense that they’d probably have a familiarity with the property. New homeowners may appreciate having the ability to have continuity of service if they so choose. Have your REALTOR® include a list of these services as part of the listing documents or as part of an open house binder.
When were things last serviced?
Much like what services are currently used at the home, when things were last serviced is essential. When was the last pest control done? When was the HVAC system last serviced? Knowing when important maintenance services were last done allows the homeowners to plan for necessary expenses that haven’t been completed recently.
What utilities service the home?
This may be common sense, but it’s helpful to know what gas companies, power companies, and irrigation companies serve the home. It’s also good to know who provides the water, sewer, and trash service and handles the billing, e.g., the city.
Be Available to Buyers
Sometimes questions arise about the house or where things are or need a little guidance. Being available to assist or answer questions about the home is appreciated.
Cash isn’t Always King
While cash offers are attractive, a great qualified buyer’s offer may be just as good or better than cash. The only downside is the appraisal requirement, but if someone is willing to bridge a potential gap, there’s no reason to discount a buyer who uses traditional financing.
The Last Word
Buying a home in Idaho is a competitive endeavor. With inventory levels being stretched to record lows due to unrelenting demand, sellers in the area certainly have a lot of leverage. The tips and questions above are from the minds of people looking to buy Idaho real estate and are meant to be helpful advice to those selling their property.
Providing answers to the questions posed above and any additional information about the home will make it much more attractive to buyers. Additionally, it can also help people decide if it’s the right property for them. People appreciate good value and expect quality service. Going the extra mile and furnishing information that isn’t usually part of a listing helps buyers see the value in your home.
If you’re contemplating selling your home, here’s an article that has some additional ideas of things to do before selling your home.