Home sellers are a busy lot. They need to list and market their houses. Many sellers are often preparing for showings while also looking at other residences and neighborhoods that they would consider living in.
It’s essential for sellers to provide an adequate list of amenities in their listing. You don’t need to overwhelm interested parties. However, you should still supply enough key details to generate interest and enthusiasm.
Selling a home in Texas can take time. Even if you have a motivated buyer, the entire process may not be finished for several weeks or months. There are certain steps that must be taken and different people that will become involved at certain stages. You could even run into unexpected problems or delays. Patience, persistence and a proactive plan of action can help you succeed.
Here are a few things to know if you’re thinking about listing your house on eBay.
1. Energy efficient lighting and appliances.
More and more home buyers nowadays look for appliances and lighting fixtures that are energy efficient. As inflation continues to rise globally, people are looking for ways to cut costs. That’s why energy efficiency is in high demand.
Swapping out your current appliances and lighting fixtures for more energy-efficient models shouldn’t be too expensive. There are many different models to choose from. Most changes can be accomplished for around $500 to $1000 or more, depending on your needs and budget. They give your house a modern look and feel and are an easy way to add resale value.
2. Side by side kitchen sinks.
It’s no secret that many homeowners spend a significant amount of time in their kitchens. It’s a gathering place for meals and holiday get-togethers. When people stay at home, they tend to make more meals themselves. That’s why the need for additional kitchen sink space has risen.
Having side-by-side sinks in your kitchen is a great selling feature. It should be practical for daily use, and large enough to accommodate large baking trays, sheets, and pans. You can also upgrade your faucets at the same time. This task can easily be accomplished in less than a day at a price of about $3,000 or less.
3. Ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans can help to lower cooling costs and add instant appeal to any room. They’re commonly found in living rooms, bedrooms and other highly trafficked areas. Most ceiling fans are incredibly easy to install.
You can buy a good ceiling fan for anywhere from $100 to $1,000 on average. Some even come with remote controls. Ceiling fans are best used when placed about twelve feet underneath the ceiling. They should only be added to rooms that have ceiling heights of at least eight feet. You can turn them on to provide instant comfort and can eliminate the need to turn on your air conditioner on mild spring, summer and fall days.
4. Patios.
Outdoor living space is a hot commodity today. Some homeowners prefer to spend as much time outside as possible. Patios can quickly add more outdoor living space.
Because they don’t require a lot of regular upkeep, patios are in high demand. They can be washed and cleaned with minimal effort. Most patios are built from brick, concrete and other materials. The amount spent on this kind of project will depend on what work is done and how much space is taken up for the particular project.
5. Decks.
Decks are another place for people to congregate outdoors. Homeowners can grill and enjoy a nice meal on a beautiful day outside. Decks look great and can help your home stand out in a crowded real estate market.
You can do all of the work yourself, or you can hire professionals to build your deck for you. There are many different sizes and types of building materials. Most decks can be constructed for about $25 to $50 per square foot on average.
6. Complete bathrooms on the first level.
A shower, bathtub, sink and toilet are the primary elements of a complete bathroom. There are many reasons why people opt to have a full bathroom on the main floor of their house. Families find it easier to keep track of children’s bath schedules. Seniors may want a bathroom that’s easy to access that doesn’t require walking up stairs.
Bathroom expansion and remodeling projects are quite common. You can either add on to your current first floor bathroom or completely renovate the existing space if you want. Walk-in showers and tubs, bidets and other conveniences can be installed. The total cost for these changes will be based on what you want to accomplish.
7. Outdoor lighting.
Outdoor lighting has become increasingly important to homeowners. Residents want to ensure safety for themselves and others. It’s also nice to be able to turn on outdoor lights to welcome trick or treaters, family members and party guests, for example.
Walkway lights and motion-activated lighting are some of the most popular selections. They can be added in less than a day. You probably won’t have to spend much more than a few hundred dollars to add this simple feature that enhances property value.
8. A walk-in closet in the master bedroom.
Closet space is frequently sought after by individuals and married couples with children. They need more places to store clothes and other belongings without having to buy storage containers or having to rent storage lockers. Walk-in closets can help to address their concerns.
Walk-in closets are usually put in a home’s master bedroom. They are more likely to be used in that location and are a convenience that many buyers enjoy. You could even turn an adjoining room into walk-in closet space if you want.
The amount of money and effort expended on these kinds of upgrades will largely depend on what you decide to do. Some renovations can be accomplished in less than a week for around $500 or less, while other more extensive changes might not be finished for several weeks to a month at a cost of several thousands of dollars or more.
9. Hardwood flooring.
Hardwood flooring is preferred by many buyers. They like to see wood flooring in kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and other parts of a home’s main floor. It lasts much longer than carpet and only needs to be resurfaced or refinished every five to ten years.
There are many different kinds of wood flooring products to pick from. Take some time to research different options until you find one that piques your interest. This type of flooring will generally run around $1,000 per 100 square feet of flooring.
10. Garages with plenty of room.
Garages are much more than just a place to park your car, truck, boat or motorcycle. Many garages serve multiple purposes. They’re also used as tool sheds, work stations and even indoor home theaters at times.
Home buyers tend to search for properties that have a fair amount of garage space. There should be enough room to store at least a couple of vehicles comfortably. Storage space is also a plus. You can also resurface the floor to prevent cracks and other damage due to water, dust, freezing and thawing cycles and other causes. You should be able to upgrade your garage for around $2,000 to $3000 at the most.
Conclusion
These are just some of the features that buyers look for. Other options include fire pits, in-ground pools, front porches and energy efficient doors and windows. Talk to your realtor if you’re unsure about which features to promote or add. You can also observe recent listings to find out what features other sellers have accentuated.
Once you’ve accepted an offer, it won’t be very long until the sale is over. At closing, all final paperwork will be signed and filed. The buyer will get the keys to their new house, and you’ll receive payment for the net proceeds. That money will be yours to do with as you wish. It could be saved for later or put towards the purchase of another home or other big-ticket item. Whatever you decide, you can breathe easy now that the transaction is finally behind you. It’s time to look ahead to a new start in another location.
