By now we all have read many articles on how to get your home ready to put on the market—repairing, the “Ds”(de-cluttering and de-personalizing), cleaning and staging. In fact, Real Estate Insider covered those very topics in our October column. But, there are some additional factors to keep in mind that will help you make the decision of whether or not you should sell your home. 

Timing is Everything:

What about timing? Is this the best time to put your house on the market? Some houses have been on the market for months; others have sold in 30 days or less. How do you know what the time expectation is for your neighborhood? Who should you get advice from? Probably not Matt Lauer or Lesley Stahl: TV personalities YES, experienced Realtors® NO. With the market differing street-by-street at times, national news is probably not the soundest source for information - but your local Realtor® is. 

Be Prepared: Consider a Home Inspection:

Unless a home inspection has been done recently (consider including underground tanks, septic and sewer systems), it might be a good idea to get one. Just because you have not had trouble doesn’t mean that trouble couldn’t be brewing. Forestalling a more serious problem today could save you dollars when you sell. This also gives you peace of mind as you make the decision to sell your home. 

To Remodel or Not to Remodel, That is the Question:

I remember going into a lovely home, built in the 1980s in a great neighborhood with wonderful street appeal. I felt as if I had entered a time capsule—nothing had been done to the interior since it was built (and there were some nasty trends in the 80s). “Would we have any luck trying to sell our home now?” I was asked. “Probably not the kind of luck you are hoping for,” I thought. Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity—so even if you aren’t going to put your home on the market for another year, take this opportunity to look at your house with fresh eyes. 

Take in the Home & Garden shows, look at home magazines, and visit new subdivision models. Even small changes can make a huge difference. Your Realtor® keeps up to date on the trends and is an excellent source for helping you make wise choices. Every year the National Association of Realtors® magazine publishes a study on remodeling. It covers specific projects as well as what percentage of the cost you can expect to recoup when you sell—AND it is area specific. 

A final word on updating/remodeling: I have been known to watch Trading Spaces marathons and would love to be a “Toolbelt Diva,” BUT I know my limitations. Some do-it-yourself attempts prove disastrous! Stay true to the era of your home, or at least be consistent with the design scheme—use materials appropriate to the price range of your home. Without proper advice, you will end up with a “ReMuddle,” not a “Remodel.” As much fun as they are to watch, HGTV programs are entertainment—not professional consultations…if I thought TV were real then I would plan my trip to the ER when George Clooney was on call!

By Jenny Milligan, ABR, CRB, CRS, RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc. Jenny Milligan is a broker with RE/MAX Equity Group, and holds the ABR, CRB and CRS educational designations. 

For additional real estate resources, visit www.pmar.org.