Do You Need to Update Your House Before Listing?

Los Angeles + Orange County Real Estate Podcast with Alfie McFadden

People selling their home always wonder if they should update their house before listing it on the market. Here's how you can find out what your best move would be.

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One of the most common questions I get is whether you should update your home for the market before you sell it. It's a really good question, and to answer it, let's look at it from the perspective of a buyer.

When I take buyers to a home, the first thing they wonder about isn't whether the seller offers an allowance or a home warranty, but the actual feeling of the space. With that in mind, the first thing you need to do is make sure your home is clutter-free. Are all the papers off the desks and the pots and pans off the kitchen counters? Everything should be clear and tidy. That's the best and cheapest way to make sure your home shows well.

Now, if you've been in your house for many years, the easiest way to freshen it up is with new paint. You probably have some scuffs or your whites just aren't truly white anymore. A fresh coat of paint doesn't cost much money and doesn't take much effort.

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New paint is the easiest way to instantly freshen your home.

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The third thing I would encourage you to think about is having the right-sized furniture. For example, if you have a small bedroom or office, don't put a large king-size bed in there. When buyers see that, their first reaction is to think about how small the room looks. Focus on the right-sized furniture or the right amount of furniture; you don't want to create a cramped feeling with too many pieces of furniture. If you've lived in your house for a long time, you might not notice these things after a while.

To get a fresh new look and some advice about preparing your home, reach out to me! We can discuss how much equity we can get out of your home just by doing simple things both in your home and in the marketing. We also have staging professionals to make sure your home looks as good as possible for the market.

If you have any other questions or you're thinking about buying or selling a home in LA or Orange County, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be more than happy to help!