Moe NavidiReal Estate Consultant
Lic# 01753283
Tel: (949) 892-7077
gooddeals@homesbynavidi.com
http://www.homesbynavidi.com/
Some home buyers want to buy a fixer upper home, but generally these buyers want a home that will require light cosmetic repairs. Buyers who gravitate toward fixers are those who either don't qualify to buy a more expensive home or those who want to make a profit by fixing the home themselves.
I've yet to meet a novice first-time home buyer who says, "Give me a home I can tear down to the studs." Most fixer buyers are willing to do simple repairs such as paint the walls, put in new carpeting or replace light fixtures. They typically don't want to rebuild a foundation or move walls.
Fixer-upper buyers will discount the price of the home to allow for the repairs and, for the inconvenience, a bit more. Say, a home is worth $700,000 fixed up, but it needs a new roof. A new roof might cost $10,000. A buyer most likely will not offer $690,000 for this home. Otherwise, they could buy an identical home with a new roof for $700,000 and not have the hassle.
A buyer for this type of home might offer $650,000, or even less. In this scenario, a seller would be smarter to pay for a new roof and sell the home for $700,000.
Moreover, many buyers will not buy a home that needs a new roof. They will worry the work involved will cost more than what they anticipated. Perhaps replacing the roof would involve tearing off the sheathing and repairing rafters, which could add to the cost. Most buyers want a home that is in move-in condition. By not making repairs, you will limit the number of buyers who may be attracted to your home.
Before Fixing Up Your Home
Smart sellers will weigh the cost of proposed improvements against the home's market value after the repairs or upgrades are completed. If an upgrade won't return the investment, such an improvement might not be warranted. Before you decide to lift the roof and install skylights in the master suite, realize that kitchens and baths carry the highest return.
Before deciding to make specific repairs before resale, take an afternoon off to tour other homes in the neighborhood. Note the condition and amenities in those homes. Compare these homes to yours. If, for example, most of the homes on the market have upgraded kitchens, you should concentrate on fixing the kitchen.
This doesn't mean you need to buy designer appliances and tear out the cabinets. But a minor kitchen remodel might be a good investment. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets and new hardware can give your kitchen an all-new look.
Make a list of everything that is defective, broken or worn out. If buyers spot problems or malfunctioning systems, they might wonder what else in the home has been neglected. Buyers to whom I showed a $1.5 million-dollar home in the Fab 40s in Sacramento passed on that home due to the sellers' slight oversight. The entry way rug had a big rip down the center of its seam, and it was ragged. That rug made a bad impression on the buyers to such an extent that they were convinced the sellers didn't care about selling their home.
Here are 10 minimum improvements to make before selling your home:
Patch all holes and cracks in walls and ceilings.
Fix all broken appliances and HVAC systems.
Repair leaky faucets.
Replace worn carpeting.
Repaint dark or marred walls with neutral paint (not white).
Replace broken windows.
Repair the roof.
Change out dated light fixtures / ceiling fans.
Replace old linens / window coverings.
Fix code violations.
If your real estate market is extremely hot -- a seller's market-- you can get away with fewer fix-ups before selling; however, a home that needs repairs will still deliver a lower price. In slow markets -- a buyer's market -- buyers might not even look at a home that needs work, unless it's an REO
I've yet to meet a novice first-time home buyer who says, "Give me a home I can tear down to the studs." Most fixer buyers are willing to do simple repairs such as paint the walls, put in new carpeting or replace light fixtures. They typically don't want to rebuild a foundation or move walls.
Fixer-upper buyers will discount the price of the home to allow for the repairs and, for the inconvenience, a bit more. Say, a home is worth $700,000 fixed up, but it needs a new roof. A new roof might cost $10,000. A buyer most likely will not offer $690,000 for this home. Otherwise, they could buy an identical home with a new roof for $700,000 and not have the hassle.
A buyer for this type of home might offer $650,000, or even less. In this scenario, a seller would be smarter to pay for a new roof and sell the home for $700,000.
Moreover, many buyers will not buy a home that needs a new roof. They will worry the work involved will cost more than what they anticipated. Perhaps replacing the roof would involve tearing off the sheathing and repairing rafters, which could add to the cost. Most buyers want a home that is in move-in condition. By not making repairs, you will limit the number of buyers who may be attracted to your home.
Before Fixing Up Your Home
Smart sellers will weigh the cost of proposed improvements against the home's market value after the repairs or upgrades are completed. If an upgrade won't return the investment, such an improvement might not be warranted. Before you decide to lift the roof and install skylights in the master suite, realize that kitchens and baths carry the highest return.
Before deciding to make specific repairs before resale, take an afternoon off to tour other homes in the neighborhood. Note the condition and amenities in those homes. Compare these homes to yours. If, for example, most of the homes on the market have upgraded kitchens, you should concentrate on fixing the kitchen.
This doesn't mean you need to buy designer appliances and tear out the cabinets. But a minor kitchen remodel might be a good investment. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets and new hardware can give your kitchen an all-new look.
Make a list of everything that is defective, broken or worn out. If buyers spot problems or malfunctioning systems, they might wonder what else in the home has been neglected. Buyers to whom I showed a $1.5 million-dollar home in the Fab 40s in Sacramento passed on that home due to the sellers' slight oversight. The entry way rug had a big rip down the center of its seam, and it was ragged. That rug made a bad impression on the buyers to such an extent that they were convinced the sellers didn't care about selling their home.
Here are 10 minimum improvements to make before selling your home:
Patch all holes and cracks in walls and ceilings.
Fix all broken appliances and HVAC systems.
Repair leaky faucets.
Replace worn carpeting.
Repaint dark or marred walls with neutral paint (not white).
Replace broken windows.
Repair the roof.
Change out dated light fixtures / ceiling fans.
Replace old linens / window coverings.
Fix code violations.
If your real estate market is extremely hot -- a seller's market-- you can get away with fewer fix-ups before selling; however, a home that needs repairs will still deliver a lower price. In slow markets -- a buyer's market -- buyers might not even look at a home that needs work, unless it's an REO
By Elizabeth Weintraub
