Jupiter’s housing market is tight with demand outstripping supply. But a strong seller’s market isn’t a guarantee that you can quickly and easily sell your Jupiter home. There are some homes even in the most desirable neighborhoods like, The Shores of Jupiter and Egret Landing, that have remained on the market long after others have come and gone.
It is very well-known that the number one reason a home doesn’t sell is because it is priced too high. However, if your home is priced right and has had a lot of showings but still has not had an offer, not even an offer that is well below the asking price, consider these other possibilities:
Your house appears run-down. A house that appears run down screams that it has not been maintained. People do not want to buy someone else’s headaches. If your house actually is run down and has not been maintained, it will be a hard sell even in the most robust seller’s market. You may have to do some extensive repairs or significantly lower the price in order to sell it.
“But what about fixer uppers?” you may ask. In order attract people who want to make renovations of their own, the home needs to be priced well-below market. Buyers who have the desire, money and time to do the work are very scarce especially in the over-$400k range. And, those who are out there shopping for a fixer-upper are bargain shopping. If the house is not priced well below market value these buyers will not bite.
If a home just appears to be rundown then it is worth spending a little bit of money and or time to get in tiptop shape. There are a host of minor annoyances that you may have gotten used to over the years which may be turning off potential buyers. Some things you could do include straightening and repairing crooked, broken or missing switch plates and outlets; adjusting cabinet doors so they close correctly; tightening and repairing door knobs and latches, and making sure all window blinds and shutters are working. Any signs of water damage can be a huge turn-off to potential buyers. A roof leak may have been repaired a while ago but the ceiling with the water stain has yet to be painted. Now is a good time to get that done. I am not suggesting that you hide a potential problems with paint. And when the time comes to disclose remember tell them about the roof leak and repair.
Your house is very outdated. Take a good look at your home through the eyes of a younger generation. Look for major items that date your home. Things like odd-colored bathroom fixtures – I have seen homes with purple, pink, and even black toilets, sinks and tubs. The $5,000 spent to replace the fixtures with a timeless color like white may be well worth it. You may want to consider replacing old, miss-matched appliances – be aware that stainless is still king. Remove out-of-date wallpaper and paint the wall a neutral color. While you are at it, use that neutral paint on your daughter’s purple room and your son’s spiderman mural. And don’t forget to replace that old carpet especially if it is royal blue shag. Sprayed acoustic or “popcorn” ceiling is another turn-off for many buyers. Consider having it removed.
Your house has that “lived-in” look. Clean like you never cleaned before. And then clean again. And again. Keep your home spotless at all times. People will be looking in your oven, under your sink, in your shower, etc. If you can’t get the tile grout clean, call in a professional. Clean grout will help make you tiled floors and bathrooms look new. Also have your carpets professionally cleaned or even replaced. Locate and eliminate offensive odors. For the last one, it may be worth bringing in a friend or acquaintance to help detect offensive odors as we all get used to the odors in our homes. Clean windows with opened blinds will help brighten up your home.
Your home has an undesirable layout. This is also a tough one and there is not much you can do about it. This is where a professional stager can make a huge difference. They will be able to stage your home to accentuate its best features creating a wow factor which just might make that undesirable layout desirable.
Your house is poorly located. This is a tough one as you can not move your house. But there is a lot you can do with landscaping. The main challenge with landscaping is getting it established before you put the house on the market. Fortunately for Jupiter homeowners, things grow fast in Florida. Does your home back up to another, or a concrete barrier wall, or a commercial parking lot? Dense hedges and fences with vines can change the view and help muffle sounds. And, the right plants can help create a lovely tropical oasis.
It may take some time and money to inspire buyers to make offers. However, you have one very important thing going for you – your home is in the town of Jupiter and Jupiter is a very hot market right now. So do what is necessary to get you home sold. If you need a professional objective opinion on your home before you list it contact me at gmarcarelli@ipre.com or call me at 561-809-6746.
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