Getting Your House Ready to Sell?

In a market that’s shifting as fast as it is today, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be renovated before they sell their house. That’s where your trusted TRRG real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – do before selling your house.

Here are some considerations to keep front of mind.

What You Need To Know About Your Local Market

Since the supply of homes for sale is starting to increase in some towns across lower Fairfield County, today’s buyers have more options than they had last year. That may mean you’re not able to ignore some of those repairs or cosmetic updates that you could have skipped in previous months. As a recent article from realtor.com says:

“To stand out in the market, sellers should make their home attractive to buyers, which usually means some selective updates.”

The key word here is selective. Since it is still a sellers’ market, focusing on a few key areas may be enough to make your house stand out from other listings. Also, since inventory is still low overall, it’s possible buyers may be willing to handle the larger-scale renovations down the road themselves once they move in. It all depends on buyer demand and the available inventory in your local area. For advice on what’s happening in your market and what to do to make your specific property show well, lean on your agent and The Riverside Realty Group's network of best-in-class professionals to get you the optimal results you deserve.

Not All Renovation Projects Are Equal

In addition to ensuring that your house makes a good first impression, you will also want to consider the return on your investment (ROI) for any renovations. According to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), here are the projects that could net you the best return when you sell your house (see visual below):

Again, your real estate advisor is your best resource; hyper-local feedback, specific to your market is critically important. When your agent comes to your house for a walk-thru and consultation, they’ll use their expertise to offer any insight into what you may need to repair, replace, or refinish. They also know what other sellers are doing before listing their homes and how buyers are reacting to those upgrades to help steer you in the right direction. Quick example, in our Westport, CT market buyers may not want vinyl siding as the chart above indicates but they may want the shingle, clapboard, or other natural sidings in pristine condition. Dr. Jessica Lautz, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights for NAR, explains:

“This year, the winner was hardwood flooring. Hardwood floor refinishing and putting in new wood flooring had the most significant value, . . .”

How To Draw Buyer Attention to the Upgrades You’ve Made

For any projects that you have already completed or for those you plan to do before listing, make sure your real estate professional knows. They’re not just an advisor to help you decide where to focus your efforts and funnel your budget, they’re also skilled at highlighting those upgrades in your listing assets. Potential buyers will absolutely want to know about the shiny, new updates to the property.

Remember, every home is different, so a conversation with your TRRG agent is mission-critical to make sure that you make the right moves when selling this season.

Bottom Line

In today’s shifting market, it’s important to spend your time and money wisely when you’re getting ready to move. Reach out to find out where to focus your efforts before you sell.

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The Riverside Realty Group, Fairfield County's #1 boutique real estate brokerage is independently owned and operated with over $3 BILLION in sales since its inception in 2007.