Why You Should Start Preparing Now to Sell Your Home
If selling your St. Augustine home is on your agenda as you look towards 2025, now is the perfect time to begin preparations. Despite the upcoming year seeming distant, starting early can set the stage for a successful and stress-free sale. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com says “Now is the ideal time to think about your next home’s requirements and begin preparations to list your current one. Our surveys show that 47 percent of sellers spend more than a month readying their home for sale. Starting early provides much-needed flexibility.”
Initiating the preparation process now allows plenty of time to ensure your home is market-ready by January—or whenever you want to list your property. Talking to a local real estate early in the process is key. They’ll be able to provide you with insights about which updates and repairs will truly pay off in a competitive market like St. Augustine.
“Next Year is Far Away, I’ll Deal With Prep Then”
We talk to a lot of homeowners every day. Most of them want two things: the best possible sale price and a quick transaction. To achieve both of those, it’s crucial that your home presents itself in the best light. This may involve making necessary repairs, decluttering, and considering value-adding updates (new roof, water heater replacement) before listing.
Starting early allows you to tackle these tasks gradually. Taking on one part of your checklist each weekend can reduce the stress of doing it all at once and make it easier to put in quality work. It is easy to overlook simple things, like changing light bulbs, if you rush, which will lead buyers to perceive a lack of care or attention to your property.
Key Focus Areas for St. Augustine Sellers
Unsure where to start? Let’s look at the most common improvements made by sellers today.
One of the first places homebuyers look is the kitchen. Especially with open floor plans, the kitchen is a communal place where families often start and end their day. Have you ever remodeled your kitchen? It is a rewarding process, but also one that involves lots of take-out and microwave dinners. That’s not something a lot of new homeowners want to deal with when they’ve just moved in. If you’re going to focus on one improvement project, make sure your kitchen is updated.
Next, buyers will check out the bathrooms. While rented furniture can be brought in to spice up living rooms and bedrooms, it is close to impossible to stage a bathroom. There’s no faking a bathtub or tile shower. Also, keep in mind that investing money into a key room like a kitchen or bathroom can actually lead to a higher listing price for your home.
If you’re looking to spend as few days on the market as possible you cannot underestimate the importance of curb appeal. Not only is it your chance to make a first impression during open houses and listing appointments, but exterior photos often serve as the first image on sites like Zillow and Redfin. You’d be amazed at the difference a quick power wash or even a new coat of paint on your front door can make. Want to go above and beyond? Hire a landscaping professional to install native plants in the front yard.
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Consider energy-efficient upgrades. We’re all looking for a less expensive water or air conditioning bill. A new washer and dryer can wow potential homebuyers. Not to mention, newly installed windows can give your interior and exterior a big facelift.
Lean on a Local Real Estate Expert
Lastly, local expertise is indispensable in the real estate market. Not only do the agents at The Newcomer Group know St. Augustine on a professional level, we also call it home. If you’re looking for help on figuring out major renovations, smaller updates, or just the best veggie burrito in town , we’re here for you.
Remember: if you’re planning to sell your St. Augustine home in 2025, don’t delay your preparations. Starting now ensures that everything is in order as the new year approaches.
