Prepping your home for sale can be a complicated process. But with a few simple steps, homeowners looking to sell their vacation homes in Orlando can attract the right buyers and increase the return on their investment. Here are a few key areas to address before you contact a real estate agent.
1. Start with Your Home’s Curb Appeal
When buyers visit your home, they want to see a clean and well-maintained property. They look at your home’s landscaping, windows, and entryways. Look closely at your home’s exterior as if you were a potential buyer to make sure it is inviting. Doors and screens should be clean and functional. Remove dirt and dust from door handles, light fixtures, your mailbox, and doormat. Be prepared to replace any or all of these items if necessary.
Check your driveway for cracks and repair as needed. Pressure clean the driveway’s surface to remove any signs of mildew. Pressure clean your home’s exterior as well, and if the color has faded, apply a fresh coat of paint. Clean the entryway so that buyers know that you’ve taken the time to care for the property.
2. Give Your Home’s Roof Some Overdue Attention
A roof that looks worn can lower the perceived value of your home. Warm and wet weather can cause debris, dirt, and mold to collect on your roof. Roof damage can also be a major safety concern. And when roof issues show up in an inspection, it can slow down (or halt) the sale of your home.
Many of today’s buyers are looking for homes that are in move-in condition. This is especially the case when it comes to vacation homes. Investors want to immediately secure rental bookings, so they can start generating income from the property. Roof issues can scare off the buyers you’re trying to attract.
Buyers know that the cost of repairing or replacing a roof can be high. The average cost of a shingle roof replacement in Orlando, FL is about $6,000, while repairing roof leaks will typically cost home owners around $1,000. It’s worth investing time and money in cleaning and reinforcing your home before a sale.
3. Maintain Your Home’s Appliances and Their Warranties
As you prepare to list your home for sale, check to see that all of your home appliances are in good working order, and place warranties and manuals for these items in a safe place in your home, such as a kitchen drawer. Buyers want easy access to these documents after purchasing your home.
Regular maintenance increases the lifetime value of your appliances, which can support the sale of your home. Giving buyers information they need can give them peace of mind in knowing they can rely on the appliances in your home.
4. Check Your Home’s Online Presence
Most people begin their home search online, especially those interested in purchasing a vacation home located in a different city, state or country from their primary residence. Online listings should accurately describe your home’s features, number of rooms and bathrooms, and selling price.
Home sellers can claim and edit their listings on Zillow and other top real estate websites to ensure potential buyers have the correct information.
Street View images on Google Maps can be outdated, failing to show recent changes you’ve made to your property. If this is the case, make sure your online listing highlights the updates. Include current photographs and videos of your property on your online listings to prevent confusion.
An experienced realtor can help market your home online and ensure that your home’s information is consistent across different listing platforms. Team Donovan helps today’s home investors buy and sell vacation homes in Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida area. We can help you make sure you don’t miss the essentials when prepping your home for sale. If you want to learn more, contact us at (407) 705-2616.
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