[PROPERTY] Valuable vs sellable property, what you need to know
RANDBURG – Your real goal should be to get it sold, at a fair market-related price, in as short a time as possible.
Brian Charlebois of Flynn Estates writes:
Sellers often ask me if there is any work they should do to their property before they put it up for sale. I usually tell them it completely depends on what their goal is.
In the market we find ourselves at the moment, it is often pointless to try and make your home more valuable. Your real goal should be to get it sold, at a fair market-related price, in as short a time as possible.
Often your efforts to add value by redoing the kitchen or completely renovating the bathrooms will bring you back about 60 per cent of what you actually spent. And to add insult to injury, during the period it takes you to accomplish these upgrades, you may have lost potential buyers to other properties.
However, if your goal is to make your home appear more desirable and ultimately sell it faster, then there are several ways to accomplish this. First and foremost is to give it a good cleaning inside and out. This should include steaming the carpets and straightening up each and every room. Special attention must be paid to the bathrooms for any mildew. Also, check the kitchen for grease buildup. A pleasant smell is extremely beneficial – a deodorizer in every room can make a world of difference.
As far as painting, remember that this can work against you in certain cases. For example, if there is fresh paint only in the corners of the ceilings and on the top of the walls, a buyer might conclude that it’s a cover-up of a recent roof leak. I always recommend if you are going to paint a room, do all of it and not just the ceiling.
Outside you must remove any unsightly rubble. Mowing the lawn is a good idea. If you have a pool then make sure it is clean and running. Keep in mind that first impressions count. Try to spruce up the driveway and front entrance.
The whole point of making a house more sellable is to spend your money wisely. Do not go overboard trying to make your house perfect. Just focus on making it more attractive. Small things can make a big difference. For example, a new doormat or a potted plant at the front door with some bright flowers in it helps, just use a little imagination.
Try to make your home the cleanest one the buyer will view on the day, then watch it sell the fastest.
Details: 011 7034 1730
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