Listing a home in Summit County, Colorado feels a bit like a roll of the dice. As a Realtor, I'm amazed how people have shifted away from the Golden Rule of Real Estate (Location! Location! Location!) and instead are looking for an updated property and not a project. Sadly, in Summit County, some of the best locations were built on over 25-50 years ago - and if the owners didn't make timely updates to their home, it almost feels like scraping the home would be easier than doing a complete remodel.
When a buyer walks into a home right now in Summit County, you'll see it instantly - some homes feel "buy-ready" while others feel like a long and tedious project. The difference isn't luck, it is STRATEGY.
There are four factors that separate fast sales from listings that sit.
- Preparation & Condition. Buyers compare everything. Homes that are staged, updated, cleaned, and decluttered always win against homes rushed to the market. What does this mean?
- DECLUTTER! I know this is difficult, especially when you live in the home full-time. But, a buyer must be able to imagine their pictures, their furniture, and be able to imagine sitting at the kitchen table in the morning, drinking their coffee and feeling comfortable in their home. Can't get rid of things -
- CLEAN!! Now is the time to get rid of all of the dust bunnies! Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans. Clean carpets and scrub hard-surfaced floors. Look at your home from all different angles. Clean windows, clean appliances!! Put away pet beds/crates - keep their food bowls clean and if you have a kitty, clean out that litter box regularly. Do you have any odors in your home? Ask a friend or your realtor to give you their honest opinion - boiling water with lemon & basil can help get rid of those smells (please, please - do not use the plug-in air fresheners - buys wonder what you are trying to cover up!)
- MAKE REPAIRS! Do you have windows with broken seals? Get them repaired. Not only do they make your windows look dirty, but a buyer is going to ask you to repair them at inspection anyway. Do you need to touch up paint (or even repaint rooms entirely), is a faucet dripping? It's easy to live with minor problems, but when a buyer is searching for a home, minor problems are red flags making a buyer wonder what other bigger problems does the home have that they can't see.
- SERVICE SYSTEMS! Have your heating system serviced and make any necessary repairs. Do you have a smoke alarm that won't quit chirping....replace it!
- REFRESH!! Start with the front door. Stand in front of your front door and look at it with discerning eyes. Does it look tired, worn? If so, give it a fresh coat of paint. Get rid of the 80's frilly valances over the windows, replace old, tired lighting, and let your Realtor stage the home - they are trained, experienced, and know what shows up best in pictures and in person.
- Smart Pricing Strategy. Today's market is constantly shifting. What was a seller's market last year is now a buyer's market. Don't price high and negotiate down - this is one of the worst strategies in selling real estate. The right price gets you more eyes, more offers, faster results!!
- Active Competition. Buyers shop by comparison. If similar homes are priced better or show better, those are the ones getting all of the showings.
- Overall Presentation. Buyers want move-in ready. First impressions aren't optimal - they are everything!!
Let our team at Nelson Walley Real Estate help you to strategically list your home so that you stand out from the rest!