7 Spectacular Tips for Selling an Older Home in Peoria AZ

In the U.S., half of all homes are more than 37 years old. That means that half of the American homes were built before the 1980s and the other half were built after.

Homebuilders aren’t constructing many new houses so there are older houses on the market. Despite the lack of new builds, a lot of buyers are still looking for a new house.

So what’s a homeowner selling a home that’s old supposed to do?

Luckily, there are a few strategies that can help your home compete with new builds. Read on to learn some house selling tips that may entice buyers to make your older house their new home.

Here are 7 Spectacular Tips for Selling an Older Home in Peoria AZ

1. Get a Professional Inspection

A lot of prospective buyers avoid older homes because they’re afraid the house might need a lot of maintenance. Younger buyers may not have the budget to cover major expenses like a new roof or furnace a few years into homeownership.

That’s where a professional inspection can come in handy. You can find out about any problems and handle repairs before your home even goes on the market. It’s also wise to get an inspection of your HVAC system and get it serviced.

If you handle maintenance issues before your home goes on the market, the entire selling process will go more smoothly. You won’t have to worry about buyers backing out of their offer because something came up during the inspection.

2. Check Your Curb Appeal

Curb appeal refers to the way your home looks from the street. While it’s important for all homes on the market, it’s critical for older homes.

It has a major impact on a potential buyer’s first impression. It can also boost the selling price of your home by as much as 5.5 to 12.7%. The more inviting your home looks from the street, the better they’ll feel about your home before they even come inside.

You can do small things like trim overgrown bushes, clean the windows, and add some new plants to your front porch. Updating your porch lighting or getting a new mailbox and house number will also improve your curb appeal.

3. Do Some Deep Cleaning

No matter how tidy you’ve kept your home, dirt can still collect in the cracks and crevices of your home. When was the last time you cleaned the back corners of closets or under the refrigerator? Since your home is older, it’s had more time to accumulate dirt in these forgotten places.

The cleaner your house looks, the better prospective buyers will feel about buying your older home.

You can handle the cleaning yourself or hire a cleaning service to do a deep clean for you. It seems minor, but it can make a difference when you’re trying to win over buyers.

4. Provide Buyers with a List of Recent Updates

Have you done any upgrades in the last 10 years? Buyers want to know. Make a list of any home upgrades or updates along with the dates.

Updates to the roof and gutters, HVAC unit, plumbing, and electrical system matters to buyers. If they see you’ve already upgraded these things, they’re more likely to make an offer. They’ll have peace of mind knowing that these systems are relatively new.

Plus, they’ll see the value in maintaining a home, even if it’s older than they were originally looking for.

5. Refresh the Kitchen

When you’re selling a house, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Buyers tend to shy away from extremely dated kitchens. If your kitchen hasn’t been touched since the 1980s, it’s time for a refresh.

That said, don’t worry about doing a total kitchen renovation. If buyers don’t like your specific taste, you’ll have spent all that time and money for nothing.

It’s best to stick to small updates. Add a fresh coat of paint, get new cabinet pulls, or upgrade some of your appliances. Buyers may still want to do their own renovations, but for now, you just want them to imagine living in your home.

6. Update the Bathroom

Bathrooms can also date a home. Even if buyers know they’re looking at an older home, they still don’t want to see a bathroom that hasn’t been updated in 30 years. If buyers see nothing but the money they’ll have to invest to update, they might not put in an offer.

Just like the kitchen upgrades from above, it’s important not to go overboard. Try swapping out the light fixture for something more modern. You can also paint, get new window blinds, or update the faucet.

7. Don’t Forget About Staging

Staging is especially important when you’re trying to sell an older home. You don’t want buyers to feel like they’ve stepped back in time or are visiting someone else’s house. You want them to visualize themselves living there.

That’s why it’s best to stick to neutrals and remove family photos. De-personalize your home as much as you can. It’s also a good idea to get rid of clutter and move items to the storage if you can.

If you have any bright statement-making colors, paint the room in a neutral shade like beige or light gray. Take down heavy window treatments like drapes and scarves, and just leave the window blinds.

Selling a Home in Peoria AZ? Enlist My Help Today

While it may seem like new builds are more popular, older homes can be an even better option for the right buyer. You just need to know how to give your home a competitive edge in the housing market.

If you’re selling a home in the Peoria, Arizona area, I can help because I understand the local market. Contact me today to find out how I can help you get the offer you want. Check out more informative articles here on our blog. For more information on Peoria real estate, Paradise Valley homes for sale, Phoenix real estate market and Glendale AZ property, contact my office at any time.

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