Upgrading your Home in a Down Market?

Yes, today’s buyers are certainly looking for more upgrades in their home search.. All agents understand that “Price is King” to get your listings sold, but next to price is that condition of those homes. Those homes that have been updated the most tend to sell a lot faster.

Simple things like painting those walls a neutral color will go a long way to satisfy those buyers, who are looking to match up their furniture in those rooms. I often hear many of my buyer clients complain about the selection of colors for various rooms in the homes that I show. My advice to any sellers would be to stay with a neutral color, and repaint if you have too.

Buyers have often complain about the outdated light fixtures, outdated kitchen appliances, kitchen cabinets, kitchen counter tops, bathroom and kitchen faucets, door hardware, outdated ceiling fans, carpet and flooring in certain wet areas of the home, etc. I have noticed that today’s buyers who are looking at homes older than 10 years expect the sellers to make those simple upgrades. The only exception has been with foreclosed or distressed homes, since all those buyers understand they are buying those homes “As Is”.

 I would suggest to any home owner who plans to list and sell their homes in today’s Buyer’s Market, to invest in a few simple things to upgrade your homes to overcome those objections from Today’s buyers. Keep in Mind: It takes a special kind of buyer to take on a major project of completely remodeling a whole home from the roof to the foundation. Believe it or not, it’s even a challenge for some buyers to change the color of the paint on the walls, let alone, making major changes with remodeling the kitchens, bathrooms, and all the flooring throughout the whole home. Today's buyers are working long hours and have little time to make a home more presentable to their friends.  My advise to sellers would be to make cost effective updating to an older home that will give your home a chance to compete with the nicer looking homes in the neighborhood.

Look at some low cost remodeling items first like painting, replacing light fixtures, replacing kitchen and bathroom sinks and faucets, replacing those light fixtures or ceiling fans, and any hardware too. Kitchen cabinets and flooring can be expensive, but it might help sellers to sell their homes faster if they are replaced or updated. Replacing outdated kitchen appliances will also help sell your homes faster too.

If you are planning to buy or sell in and around the Chicago land Northwest Suburban market area, contact Your Chicagoland Real Estate Broker at 847-274-0535 or visit my website for more information on subdivisions in the area.