Are you getting ready to sell yours or a senior loved one’s home? Here are six tips for a quick, profitable sale.
Preparing to sell your home or the home of a senior loved one can be intimidating. Since most older adults who are moving to a senior living community need the proceeds from a home sale to help finance their transition, getting a quick, profitable sale is important.
If your family is getting ready to sell, these 6 tips can help you make a quick, profitable sale.
6 Tips to Get the Best Price on the Sale of a Senior’s Home
- Downsize and declutter: If a senior has lived in their home for a long time, they’ve likely acquired a lot of belongings. When rooms look cluttered, it can make the house appear smaller. Take time to go room-by-room to downsize and declutter. Pack up items that are no longer needed or donate them to a charity.
- Clean and freshen up: First impressions are important when it comes to selling a house. That’s true for both the interior and exterior. Trim the shrubs, give the front door a new coat of paint if it looks drab, plant a few pots of colorful flowers, and freshen up the mulch. Clean the carpets and flooring, scrub the bathrooms, and make sure the kitchen is sparkling.
- Make minor repairs: Replacing broken lights, fixing leaky faucets, and taking care of other minor repairs is important too. It sends a signal that the house has been well-cared-for. This can give potential buyers peace of mind.
- Set the right price: Many sellers have a sentimental attachment to their home. It can result in setting a price that is too high for market conditions. When a home is overpriced, it discourages potential buyers from looking or making an offer. This can not only slow down the selling process, but also result in the home going for a lower price when it does sell. Setting a realistic price sometimes triggers a bidding war among buyers that may help sell the home for more than list price.
- Pack up personal items: A seller’s personal touches make the house a home, but these can also make it more difficult for potential buyers to picture themselves living there. Before listing the house, remove personal items from the home, such as family photos and other mementos.
- Be flexible about showings: Be willing to let the home be shown on short notice, or during early mornings or dinnertime. While it might not be convenient, it can allow potential buyers who work to see the home. Whenever possible, the senior should leave the home when a realtor is showing the house. This makes it less awkward for everyone involved.
Preparing for a New Chapter in Life
Moving is tough at any age, but planning for the transition can help reduce stress and anxiety. If you or an older loved one are considering a move to a senior community in the southeast, we hope you will keep Legacy Senior Living in mind.
With communities in six states, we likely have an option near you. Call us today at (423) 478-8071 to learn more!