Is Your Home “Sellable”?

Love Selling Your Home Series – Week 2: Welcome back to our “Love Selling Your Home” series. This week, we’re diving into a crucial question: Is your home sellable?

You’re ready to sell your home, but how do you know if potential buyers will love it? In real estate, we call it the “sale-ability” factor. This comes into play when you compare your home to others that have sold recently in your neighborhood and how you should price your own home.

Before listing your home, consider these key factors to ensure your home is priced right to attract buyers:

Condition

A well-maintained home with updated features is a big draw. Buyers today prefer move-in-ready homes. Compare your home to recently sold homes in your neighborhood. If they have updated kitchens and bathrooms and yours doesn’t, you might need to lower your price or invest in some updates. Look for unique features that can set your home apart, like a finished basement or a large patio.

Living in Northern Colorado, we know our homes have to withstand various weather conditions. Make sure your home is well-maintained, with no signs of damage from our snowy winters or hot summers. If your home has unique features like a cozy fireplace for those chilly Fort Collins nights or a spacious deck for summer barbecues, highlight them! This is a great way to add “sell-ability” to your home.

Location

We all know the saying: location, location, location. Your home’s location plays a significant role in its sale-ability. Is your neighborhood hot, or does it have some drawbacks? I can provide insights into your area’s market trends. Even if there are negatives, like being near a busy street, there might be positives like great views or proximity to parks that can offset them.

Northern Colorado has some fantastic spots. Maybe your home is close to the beautiful trails at Horsetooth Reservoir, or it’s in a top-notch school district in Loveland. These are huge selling points! On the flip side, if your home is near a busy road, we’ll need to adjust the price to reflect that.

Timing

The timing of your listing can affect both price and how quickly it sells. Spring is usually peak selling season with lots of buyers, but also more competition. Listing during less busy times, like the holidays, might mean fewer buyers but also less competition. We’ll strategize to find the best timing for your home.

Colorado’s seasons can be quite a show. Springtime blooms might bring out more buyers, but a cozy, well-decorated home can also attract buyers in the winter. We’ll find the perfect time to showcase your home’s best side.

Condo Considerations

If you’re selling a condo, there are extra factors to consider. The financial health of your condo association, owner-occupancy rates, and recent assessments all impact your home’s sale-ability. Buyers and lenders scrutinize these details, so it’s essential to be aware of them.

If you’re in a condo in a bustling area like downtown Fort Collins or close to CSU, these can be huge advantages. But make sure the association’s finances are in good shape—buyers will be looking!

Making Your Home Sellable

Together, we’ll examine your home honestly to see if it’s sellable in today’s market. If not, we’ll determine what needs to be done to make it more attractive to buyers. Some things you can control and change, others you can’t, but we’ll focus on what you can do to boost your home’s appeal.

On the next blog, we’ll dive into specific projects that can make your home shine for buyers and which ones are worth your time and money.

Got questions about your home’s sale-ability? Let’s chat and get your home ready to sell!