Selling your home and beginning the next chapter of your life can be a significant undertaking. For seniors especially, a home sale often marks a pivotal moment of transition. Whether downsizing, relocating, or moving to a senior living community, there are important considerations that you’ll need to factor in. In this article, we provide some expert tips to give seniors the knowledge and insight they need to ensure a successful home sale.
Choose a Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents can make it much easier to sell your home. They have a thorough understanding of the real estate market and will be able to help you to assess your home’s value and list it for a competitive price that’s comparable to similar homes in your area. They can also help you schedule the necessary inspections and determine what updates and improvements you should make before selling.
When it comes time to list your home, realtors have an array of resources to get it in front of potential buyers. They will be able to help you get high-quality photos and spread the word that your home’s for sale, highlighting all of the key features that make it stand out. Your realtor can also help arrange showings and open houses.
Know When To Sell Your Home
There are many factors that influence the timing in which you sell your home. As a senior, your enrichment, long-term care needs, retirement plans and the lifestyle you want to live will all play a part. For example, selling your home sooner may give you more financial freedom to enjoy your retirement. Or, it may be prudent to wait to sell until you’ve found the community that’s right for you.
Personal factors aside, real estate market conditions may be a determinant in when you sell your home. Ask your real estate agent for the comparative market analysis (CMA) to see what your home’s current price is. Lean on their expertise and understanding of the real estate market to determine a fair price and the timing in which you should sell. Your home is likely one of your biggest investments. You’ll want to make sure you get the most out of it when it’s time to sell.
Make Moving and Staging Easier by Decluttering
Preparing to move can be a good time to go through your home room by room and declutter. While this process is necessary when downsizing, you’ll also appreciate that you have fewer things when it’s time to pack.
Put a label on every item to indicate what you will keep, sell, donate or give to a loved one. To simplify the process, you can use a color-coding system or write the item’s destination on each label. Then, take care of your items accordingly. Make a fun day out of it by enlisting the help of a friend or family member.
Complete Repairs and Updates
Your real estate agent will help you decide which home updates you should make before listing your home. These projects may be cosmetic updates like a landscaping revamp or a fresh coat of paint on your home’s exterior. You may also need to make some functional repairs, like fixing a leaky faucet or broken appliances. Realtors typically have a robust network of home improvement professionals, so they will likely be able to refer you to a trusted, reliable expert.
In addition to making the recommended indoor updates, consider boosting your home’s curb appeal. An enticing first impression is more likely to lead prospective buyers to explore your home. Here are some suggestions:
- Painting or replacing your front door
- Installing lighting around your home, along walkways or in your landscaping
- Adding shutters to frame your windows
- Setting out decorative accents such as a fountain, lawn ornaments or outdoor lighting
- Placing elegant pots with seasonal annuals near your front door
Clean and Stage Your Home
First impressions are often the most memorable, so you want to make sure each potential buyer gets a good one when they see your home. Staging your home makes it look much more appealing and helps buyers visualize what their life would be like. Staging also helps you show off your home’s potential by emphasizing its unique features and key selling points.
Your real estate agent may recommend a home staging service to make this process easier. If you don’t want to hire one, you can ask a loved one that has an eye for interior design to help or do the staging yourself. If you want to keep your house completely empty, virtual staging software can be useful for your online listing.
Discover a New Lifestyle at Village on the Green
If you’re looking for a place to start anew after you sell your home, consider Village on the Green. Nestled in the quaint town of Longwood, Florida, our senior living community is just a short drive from all of the fun that Orlando has to offer. With an array of enriching services, fulfilling amenities and engaging events, fun also exists right outside your front door. Plus, as a Life Care community, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to get the care you need in the long term.
Contact us today to see what life could be like for you at Village on the Green, or complete the form below.
