Selling is certainly easier than buying these days, but it’s not as easy as falling off a log. Strategy is critical. The approach for getting the best offer on one house isn’t necessarily right for another. One size does not fit all.
The general rule: present the house to the public as an easy, no-fuss purchase. Assume that buyers have literally zero imagination, and deal with anything that could get in the way of them seeing themselves in the house.
Get it spiffy and market ready, and do not over-improve. Fix-up minor things, de-clutter, paint if necessary, refresh the yard, and clean, clean, clean. Maybe stage it if it’s empty. Don’t do anything major.
But sometimes the general rule isn’t the right rule. There are times when the best approach is to do nothing at all.
I had a recent listing that had been a rental for 20 years. It was in sound condition, but a little tired - a kitchen upgrade from 20 years ago, vinyl siding over the original clapboard, a deck that needed repairs and re-staining, a whiff of lingering cigarette smoke.
The sellers asked it they should do things like replacing the deck, washing the windows and siding, and reworking the tile in the bath. I recommended a thorough cleaning, and deck repairs to prevent actual danger, but nothing more. The buyer of this house would either leave it as-is and rent it again, or would do an all-out rehab. In either case those improvements would be unnecessary.
We had six offers and got a deal at well over asking price.
Another recent client was an elderly lady moving to assisted living. She had owned her house for 53 years, and apparently had never thrown anything away. It was absolutely stuffed with stuff. There was no way to know what needed fixing, and clearing everything out would be a major undertaking.
So, what to do? Clear it out, fix it up (to what extent?) and put it on the open market? Or look for a buyer who would buy it to flip?
The former could take months and the seller needed the cash from the sale asap. And the underlying condition of the house was a gigantic unknown. So, the seller and her guardian chose the latter approach. I worked off-market and got three offers. The winner took the house at a very fair price without an inspection contingency (a relief!) and offered to dispose of anything the seller wanted to leave behind. A win for the seller!
If you are thinking about selling, now is a great time, but it takes the right strategy to get the best deal. I’d love to talk with you about the best approach. I might even make you a nice cocktail while we chat.