When your house needs work, and a lot of it, it can be intimidating to put it on the market without investing in a bunch of fancy upgrades. When it’s time to sell the old house with the old floors, the bad yard, the broken this and the broken that. But let’s face it, not everyone has the time or the money to fix up their fixer-upper.
Tips and Ideas on how to sell an older home:
Clean up your front yard curb appeal, and clear out any outdoor clutter.
Make small updates around the house (fix broken doors, caulking, etc.).
Landscaping
Patching holes
Deep cleaning stained tubs and toilets
Fixing broken doors and hinges
Fixing leaky pipes
Adding new caulking where it’s worn out
Clean or replace grout
Replace knobs on cabinets (which can go for a little as a dollar per knob)
Treat stains in your carpet
Educate yourself (and buyers) on renovation loans.
Highlight the amazing features your home already shows
Make sure you price the home right.
Prove you’ve kept up with the maintenance- Any buyer wants to know they’re not inheriting a maintenance headache and with an older home, that’s a top concern. You may want to hire a home inspector or other specialist before listing so that you can get ahead of any issues that could be deal-breakers.
Market its unique features- One selling point of an older house is that its architecture doesn’t resemble current styles. Buyers drawn to these types of properties love the uniqueness and the quirky features, like “witch windows” angled parallel to the roof line, or milk doors.
Ditch dated decor- Small updates like a coat of paint and new hardware on kitchen cabinets and drawers can help your home look fresh.
Stage to impress- Pare down the knickknacks and furniture so the house doesn’t look cluttered, and show off any natural materials including any hardwood floors.
Highlight the space you get for the money- Compared to new construction, an older home might have more square footage or a larger lot size, proving more desirable for buyers. If you have a deck, garden, patio, or porch, that’s livable space to promote, right down to the curb appeal. How about a striking view from the living room? That’s a standout focal point to underscore for buyers.