Selling in 2016? Take these steps now
Courtney’s house shows how fresh soft gray can be.
Are you thinking of selling your home in 2016? Are you worried about the time and money that getting your home ready to sell will require? Don’t be. The Patterson Group has seen it all, and we’re eager to share some best practices that will make the process of selling your home in the coming year smooth as can be.
The main idea is to think in terms of depersonalizing. You want prospective buyers to see your home as a clean slate, a space that they can move into and immediately make *their* home. In the words of Tracy, one of our agents:
Next consider repairs and upgrades you can do so that the home is pristine when it hits the market. Homes, like our bodies, have major components that should be running well in order to get top dollar for your home. These major components are the roof and gutters, the home’s exterior (siding/brick/stucco), windows, HVAC, hot water heater, electrical wiring and box, and sump pumps and water mitigation systems.
With these in mind, your next step is to call a realtor and set a budget. Determining how your money is best spent will help you organize the rest of the process. Here are some suggested approaches based on your budget:
Low Budget
Courtney’s house shows how fresh soft gray can be.
Repainting: A neutral paint update (think soft grays throughout) can go a long way in making your home look fresh.
Cleaning: Your house should be luxury hotel clean. This includes windows, carpets, grout, and all the hard-to-reach places.
Medium Budget
source: www.denverbathtubrefinishing.com
Bathrooms: Glaze a 1950s yellow-, green-, blue-, or pink-tiled bathroom white for an up-to-date look.
Landscaping: Focus on curbside appeal. After all, this is the first thing potential buyers will see.
Fixtures: Remove all gold fixtures (faucets, handles, light fixtures, door knobs, hinges, etc.) and install brushed nickel or chrome instead.
Kitchens: Paint or stain kitchen cabinets either gray or white.
Carpets: Replace worn carpets.
Larger Budget
An Ivy Lane Living-designed kitchen.
Kitchens: Replace countertops and appliances.
Bathrooms: Go for a full remodel. A remodeled master bathroom has the highest return on investment, other than a kitchen, when selling a home.
- About the team
The Patterson Group is one of the most experienced and trusted real estate teams in the area, serving Alexandria, VA for over thirty years. We offer professional, hardworking, detailed and friendly service and a large network of contacts and resources accrued over our many years in Alexandria real estate. Comprised of seven Alexandria locals, six of whom are licensed realtors and three of whom are accredited staging professionals, The Patterson Group is passionate and knowledgeable about Alexandria, VA and here for all of your Northern VA real estate needs. Allow us to help you find your home here and discover all that the Alexandria lifestyle has to offer.
400 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.310.6201
