Tips for selling a home that’s part of an estate
While some opt to sell a home that is part of an estate as is, others seek to maximize the return. From home staging to repairs, a thoughtful plan can help make the sale both smooth and in many cases more profitable.
Remove personal items
The first step is to locate all critical documents, including those related to the mortgage and taxes on the home.
Next, look to donate clothing to charity. As far as furniture and home-decor items, these can be useful for staging the home. Professional staging companies’ services typically include the sale of personal items, including clothing and furniture, delivering personal items to charities and disposing of items that are no longer of use.
Improvements
In many cases, the home might not have been updated for years.
Fresh new bathrooms and kitchens are two of the most desired features for potential buyers. There is no need to do a gut renovation. Instead, consider investing in cost-effective improvements that will increase the value without breaking the bank. In bathrooms, consider reglazing old tiles, replacing toilets, updating sinks and changing fixtures such as showerheads and faucets. These improvements will go a long way to creating a fresher, more modern look at an affordable price.
For kitchens, if replacing appliances is too costly, consider improvements such as a new tile floor or inexpensive sheet vinyl. Cabinet refacing or even something as simple as replacing cabinet handles can go a long way. Another option is to replace a countertop.
Painting
Painting is one of the most affordable improvements for a home. Potential buyers see even small tasks such as painting as worry, money and work. The best colour is a basic white. Neutral colours appeal most to potential buyers.
Home staging
Home staging is the process of preparing a property for sale. This can include everything from decluttering to repairs, furniture rearranging and bringing in rental items and accessories. A stager will ensure that a property shows in its best possible light, highlighting the positives and downplaying the negatives.