Do you have an older house you want to list in the market? If you feel unsure because you think it might not get any attention with all the modern houses in the market, you’re not alone. But that shouldn’t hold you back. Old houses can still be sold fast, and for better prices. You just need to learn a few tricks.
But here’s a quick tip: the easiest and fastest way to sell a house is through cash home buyers like Gem State Cash Offer. Cash home buyers will buy any house no matter what state it’s in, even if it requires repairs. However, that also means you’ll have to settle with a lower cash offer.
If you want to sell an old house for a better price, and you’re willing to wait, here are the best tips you should consider:
1. Small Repairs Can Make A Big Difference
While big changes are often what would come to mind when selling a house, that isn’t the only way to help improve your house’s value. First, go through your house and check what small repairs can be done to make it more livable and welcoming.
For instance, some parts of your old house may have nail holes, drafty windows, or faulty door locks. You can start with a list of everything that requires minor repairs to make your old house look appealing again.
While small repairs don’t sound much, a lot of mismatched, broken, and non-functioning parts of a house may drive its value down. So, before you think of bigger changes, consider the small repairs first as they’ll give you a better idea of how much work is really necessary.
Moreover, once these minor repairs are done, you might find that you won’t need to spend on bigger repairs. The best part is smaller repairs are also cheaper and won’t take too much of your time.
And while they may be just small changes, they can easily add value to your home and make it more appealing.
2. Market Its Old But Gold Features
One major selling point of an old house could be its unique architecture that’s harder to find these days. Such characteristics may appeal to buyers that love quirky features and unique designs. If your old house has some eccentric or unique characteristics, you should use them as part of your selling points.
Also, if your house has historic value, such as being previously owned by a prominent figure, or have been associated with significant events, make sure to highlight it to attract buyers who may find its historical significance interesting.
3. Stage Creatively
When it comes to selling an old house, you should make initial impressions count. Focus your efforts on making your home look inviting before any potential buyer even step in your door.
Carefully plan the details of your staging and remove clutter, get rid of the family photos, and rearrange the furniture to make the interior look more spacious. The idea of staging is helping your potential buyers get a feel of what it may be like to live in the house. It’s also the best time to highlight the best features of your property.
4. Improve Exterior Appeal
For most buyers, exterior appeal matters a lot. Trimming overgrown bushes, maintaining the landscaping, and applying a fresh coat of paint may help make your house look more attractive, especially in photos.
If you have a garden, adding some landscape lighting can also make a big difference in your exterior’s overall look.
5. Price It Right
By pricing your home competitively, you may be able to get an offer sooner. Most offers that come soon after listing will be typically closer to your asking price compared to the offers that come later. Take note that if you price your old house too high, it may sit on the market longer. On the contrary, when you price it too low, buyers might wonder if there's something wrong with the property.
If you’re wondering how to price your property right, it may depend on recent sales figures in your location and current home-buying trends. If possible, seek advice from professional real estate agents to get the highest dollar for your old house.
6. Embrace Modern Marketing
Selling an old house doesn’t mean that your marketing strategies should be old school too. For older houses, some of the best marketing opportunities are in modern media and technology.
Take advantage of social media and the internet to put your home in front of a big pool of potential home buyers. If possible, include high-quality pictures and virtual tours in your marketing materials to showcase the best features of your home.
It may also help to make your ad more visible to groups of people that are specifically into classic architecture. For example, join social media groups of people who love vintage houses, or add specific tags to your ads. Hashtags with words that best describe your house’s unique characteristics will help make your ad more visible to interested buyers when they search on social media.
Older Home Sale Conclusion
It’s never easy to sell an old house, especially in today’s housing market. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s an impossible feat. A bit of staging and some creative marketing techniques will help you attract the best buyer and close the deal soon enough on the older home. Just remember to price it right and plan your marketing wisely, so you can make the highest possible property profits. After all, old can still be gold in the housing market.
