When selling an old house, you’ll want to make sure potential buyers understand that an old house isn’t a bad house. Older homes often have unique aspects that someone cannot find with a newer property. Here are some tips you can utilize when it’s time to sell your older home.
1. Figure Out Who You Want to Sell Your Older Home To
Identifying a target audience is an ancient marketing trick and the cornerstone of many marketing campaigns. A young homebuyer, a first-time homebuyer, and someone looking for a family home aren’t all looking for the same things. Finding what one group or another seeks from an older property will put you ahead.
You can still sell to whomever you please, especially if they put a good offer on the table. But, when you narrow down the audience, you will have a better time figuring out what type of work you should consider putting into your older home to increase its value to that person.
2. Focus on the Area or Neighborhood Around Your Older Home
For many people, location holds just as much importance as the property itself. Look for all the things about your home’s locale that people might like. For example, consider some of the following questions:
- Are there good schools in the area?
- Are there good recreational activities close by?
- Is the area easy to traverse? Is public transportation easy to get to?
- Does the area contain parks, trails, or other natural features?
The more positive things you can say about the area or neighborhood, the more selling points you add to the property itself.
3. Market Your Older Home as Unique, Vintage, or Different
Older homes often come with unique peculiarities, architectural designs, and other aspects that can help them to stand out. Don’t think of your home as old, think of it as vintage or classic. In this case, the age of the home becomes a selling point.
Nobody wants an “old house.” People want a classic home or a historical home. Are you aware of anything in the home’s past that can show its uniqueness? Don’t hesitate to turn the age of your home into a marketing asset.
4. Make Small Changes to Your Older Home to Increase Its Appeal
You can increase the perceived value of an older home in several ways without overspending. Improving curb appeal, making small repairs, and making small upgrades can go a long way when selling an old house.
Paint things in neutral tones
To appeal to more people, you can paint interiors with neutral tones. The goal is to remove highly personal color choices and give potential buyers the ability to project their ideas.
Brighten things up
Swap older or dull lights for brighter ones. Clean up the windows so they can let more light come through. If you have heavy window treatments, take them down. Remove shrubs and other things that might block light through the windows.
Clean up and landscape the exterior
Keep the exterior of the home neat, clean, and free of anything that can look like debris. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged. Look at the front and back yard and try to see where you can make them look more appealing without spending too much money or doing too much work.
Experts agree that paying attention to curb appeal, if nothing else, can help boost value and persuade someone to buy.
Make small repairs and upgrades
If your older home comes with leaks or smaller issues you can fix yourself, then do so. Even if you must hire someone for a small repair, it can help you justify your selling price.
This all applies to upgrades as well. For example, upgrading the door locks, changing some fixtures, or replacing handles around the house can give everything a fresher look.
5. Sell Your Older Home As-Is Without Making Changes
Some buyers or investors actively seek out as-is properties specifically. If you identify those people as the types of people you want to sell to, then you can present your older property in a way that helps them come to a decision.
You can order a pre-inspection so you can give those potential buyers a look at everything they might have to contend with. Some may find the list isn’t a dealbreaker. An as-is market exists, and it includes a lot of people willing to pay cash for your older home as soon as possible.
If you want to consider selling an old house as-is, you can check for an offer immediately. You can receive a fast cash offer for your older home from Need To Sell My House.
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