The beginning of 2017 may be the best time to get a house on the market for anyone considering a change of scenery, but there are two major questions stopping them, “Why,” and “How?”
There are plenty of reasons why this could be your best bet, the first: 2016 being named the year of low inventory. Trulia’s research concluded that hitting the market before other houses do this year is more than likely to get you sold as soon as possible. The beginning of the year is also an important period of time for different reasons depending on the climate you’re selling in. Houses in warmer areas may be more desirable in the winter, and colder areas are less appealing to those looking to browse. For cold-weather climates, a sense of urgency in buying is often fueled by the desire to not waste any time checking out every yard of every available house in the neighborhood. In addition, the probability that interests rates will be climbing in the next few years is higher, considering how low they’ve been in the past. If a potential interest rate spike is on its way, now is the time to move!
If you’ve already gotten started on the selling process, but haven’t received many bites, you may have trouble finding out how to up the appeal of your property. Taking the same approach to your own home that you would to a flipped house may be worth attempting, though it’s often overwhelming to figure out how to start. For high-energy sellers, this could be a great way to get better bids. Before you start to think about upping curb appeal and staging decor for an open house, consider these areas to start with:
- The Basement
This is oftentimes an area with no surface-level appeal. If you’ve already fixed the windows, plumbing, flooring, and the like, you may want to start sprucing the place up. It doesn’t have to be a completely finished basement (though that couldn’t hurt!) but establishing a sense of utility and desirability to be down there could be a major selling point.
- The Bathroom(s)
Adding a half bath to have the minimum desired number of 1.5 bathrooms may be an in-depth investment, but for a flipper, it’s a necessity! Changing the fixtures and even updating the toilet are all less-expensive upgrades that won’t take up too much of your time.
- Cooking and Eating Areas
Is a kitchen island or a breakfast bar a feature that would compliment the space? Are there any walls that can be knocked out? How versatile is the area for both modern and traditional buyers, and how easily can you refinish the cabinets?
- The Living Room
This one is a no-brainer. Changing or removing the wallpaper or getting a fresh coat of paint on the walls can make a huge difference in the feel of the space. If it’s the most commonly used room in the house, it’s time to fix up any chips in the molding and holes in the walls from previously hung frames or decor. Remember, if you can DIY it, you should! Most high-end looking features ranging from lighting to storage can be replicated at a less expensive cost. Play around with things like wainscoting or shelving to get an expensive look for half the price.
Have you flipped a house before? How many ways can you update and refinish your home within a budget? Let’s get started today!
Jeff Mistretta
631-484-0133 | LongIslandAreaRealtor@gmail.com
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