The amount of time a home spends on the market before going under contract is an indicator of how competitive the housing market is. Currently, homes are spending an average of 32 days on the market. The longer homes spend on the market, the more control homebuyers have in this ‘game of roulette’.
Here are five easy ways to keep your house out of the seller’s limbo by adding perceived value (and actual value) to your home.
- Upgrade your Mailbox
It may seem like a silly thing, or something you might not even notice anymore when you drive into your driveway. But a weathered or outdated mailbox can be an eyesore for the potential homebuyer, especially when wanting to make a great first impression. It is also one of the easiest home improvements you can do!
- Paint your Home Inside and Out
Remember the time your kids insisted on bright purple or orange when painting their room? While that’s fitting for your family, a potential homebuyer might not have the same appreciation for those energetic colors, and it could distract them from seeing the true potential a room has to offer. Help buyers envision themselves in your home by painting rooms a neutral color.
In a similar vein, if your house has always been known as the “pink” house on the street even though it was originally red, painting the exterior will also help with potential buyers. Painting the exterior of your home can be pricey, when done by professionals, the process has a very quick turnaround time, and the result will be sure to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.
- Clean, Declutter and Stage your Home
People touring your home like to look not just at the larger rooms, but also poke around in closets or nooks and crannies to make sure their stuff will fit. If your closets are overflowing with the winter jackets, or you have too many pieces of furniture in a room-your home may not be ready to show off the qualities that make it truly unique. Nothing turns potential buyers off more than an unkept and cluttered home.
- Fence in your backyard
Sixty-seven percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Over half of potential buyers coming to tour your home find a fence necessary, and the other 33% find it to be an extra perk, so it is a win-win!
- Reinvent Interior Doors
During all these other updates you’re working on, don’t forget to give those creaky, non-lockable doors a little TLC too. You know, the ones that are warped and stick to their frame from temperature changes. It’s amazing what a difference installing new doors in your home can make, and it’s even more amazing when you choose a beautiful doorknob style to complete the look!
Happy Homesteading!