What are Buyers Seeking in a Condo?
When you put your Hoboken/Jersey City area condo on the market, what should you do to attract the top-dollar buyer? The short answer to that is to follow the advice of your real estate agent. However, there’s an advantage in looking into the matter and understanding the whys and wherefores of this advice.
Potential buyers don’t necessarily want to see what you have “done with the place”. They want to see, in their mind’s eye, what they can do with it. This is why your agent will encourage you to de-personalize your condo as much as possible. You want to sort of turn it into a blank slate for the next owner.
This is an important reason to keep after any odors that may be from your personal living style. If you have a pet, or some strong-smelling plants, the odors become a part of your environment, and you hardly notice them. People walking into your home from the outside, however, will notice them immediately. Your agent, as your representative, will tell you if you need to give this attention.
The same goes for cooking odors. Perhaps, if you crave strongly spiced ethnic foods, you should indulge at the nearest restaurant that carries those dishes until your condo sells. On the other hand, a fondness for freshly baked chocolate chip cookies could turn out to be an advantage. Your agent, again, is the best judge.
Another thing good agents will probably advise is to say goodbye to a lot of your favorite knick-knacks and personal items. The antimacassar that your Great Aunt Tillie crocheted for your cozy chair might be showing some wear, and detract from the clean lines you want to show. You can put them in storage until you move to your new place of residence.
Any good agent will be able to advise you on the appearance of each room. The kitchen is especially important, because it is the hub of so many people’s lives. You want to display as much room as possible, so that potential buyers will picture their favorite items on surfaces like counter tops. Naturally, the bathrooms follow the same rule. Stow the potions and grooming tools out of sight. Keep sinks, tub, and other fixtures sparkling clean. If something needs repair or replacement, your agent can tell you what makes a difference, and how best to proceed to get the best return on investment.
Statistics show that negotiating on the price of your home yourself is not a good practice. Your agent has the detachment that is required in the delicate refinements of give and take. Your emotional investment in your home cannot be an issue in this transaction. Save it to invest in your next home.
Are you ready to take the advice of a good real estate agent?
Edward