Blog originally posted on redfin.com
The Coronavirus has affected so many aspects of our lives - from how we work to how we exercise, communicate, and so much more. It has also affected the housing market and how we now buy and sell homes. If you’re thinking about listing your home you may be wondering what you can do to attract homebuyers during this unprecedented time? While executing on curb appeal ideas and implementing strategic home staging are all still worthy endeavors in appealing to homebuyers, an ideal home office or an entertainment-worthy backyard may have found renewed interest for today’s homebuyers.
Here are 9 tips to help you sell your home during coronavirus.
Start by prepping your home to sell in a virtual world
Due to Coronavirus, developments in virtual home tours, 3D walkthroughs, and the ability to close remotely with online notaries have made home buying and selling process easier than ever. Along with these advancements in real estate technology, services such as virtual staging, virtual home inspections, and even virtual interior design have grown in popularity.
1. Make your home shine online with virtual staging
Whether you're listing a single-family home for sale in Atlanta, GA or a duplex for sale in Sacramento, CA, staging your home is one of the most integral parts of the process. It gives potential buyers an opportunity to visualize themselves living in your space, which can make or break a deal. So, unless you have experience staging homes, consider consulting with a professional home stager.
Given the current climate, however, not everyone necessarily wants a professional stager to enter their house. That’s why virtual staging services have become such a popular alternative. The advent of virtual staging has allowed stagers to create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing atmospheres for potential buyers to view a home without ever setting foot inside. While in-person staging will likely return post-Coronavirus, virtual staging will remain a convenient and favorable option that should be considered when getting your house ready to sell.
2. Organize your interior with a virtual organizing and decluttering service
As with virtual staging, many have found virtual organizing services to be an affordable and convenient way to receive advice on how to organize and declutter their space. Some organizers even claim that working virtually allows them to have longer organizing sessions with their clients, resulting in more in-depth appointments. However, one of the most compelling reasons to try a virtual organizing session is that you get to work hands-on with your space. By allowing a professional organizer to virtually guide you through the organization process, you can practice and integrate your new skills long after your session has ended, and having a functional space will give your home a leg-up when it’s time to sell.
3. Invest in professional photography to help your home stand out
Nowadays, with the ability to buy and sell almost entirely online, it’s more important than ever to make sure your home’s online appearance is top-notch. While it may be tempting to forego the expense of professional real estate photos and do it yourself, it’s important to note that your house will likely sell faster and for more money if you go with a professional. Investing in a real estate photographer will ensure that your home is presented in its best light when you list.
In the case that your home is located on a large plot of land or has a spectacular view you want to show off, consider having aerial photos taken of your home. With advancements in drone photography, this service is more affordable than ever and is able to capture your home’s most prominent features from a whole new perspective.
Make sure your home addresses all the needs of today’s buyers
4. Turn unused space into a home gym or office
For many people, things like working and exercising from home have been a completely new experience that they weren’t entirely prepared for. Prior to Coronavirus, many hadn’t considered the importance of having a dedicated workspace that promotes productivity while remaining separate from their day-to-day lives. However, now people have begun to recognize the value of additional space.
If you have an unfinished basement, a spare bedroom, or an insulated garage, take the time to transform it into a usable and desirable space. Whether it functions as a home office, gym, indoor garden, or something else, having a bonus area that buyers can customize to their individual needs will certainly provide value to your home in the eyes of today’s homebuyers.
5. Make your backyard a horticulturist’s dream
This has given people a greater appreciation for being able to grow their own food from the comfort of home. Taking the time to build a garden bed in a previously unused part of your backyard will bring life to your outdoor space.
6. Create a space to grow food indoors
Why limit your gardening to the outdoors? Indoor gardening has also seen a rise in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. Having a proper place for an indoor garden within your home can be a bonus from a buyer’s perspective. Not to mention, building an indoor garden can be a fun, rewarding, and educational project for the whole family to be a part of. Start by finding the right space in your home. Keep in mind that the ideal location for an indoor garden receives a lot of natural light and has an average temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, choose vegetables and herbs that thrive indoors such as lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, and arugula. For more in-depth instruction, refer to these expert tips on how to create the ultimate DIY indoor garden.
Turn your backyard into a personal getaway
With all the time that’s being spent at home, a beautiful space for outdoor entertainment has taken on a whole new level of importance. Investing a little time and money into your outdoor space will provide a range of benefits to you as a homeowner, while adding value to your home when it comes time to sell. Create the ultimate gathering space in your backyard by incorporating elements like a wooden porch swing, lawn games, outdoor lighting, or even a DIY firepit.
7. Build a deck for relaxing, entertainment, and more
Adding a deck to your exterior for entertainment, barbecues, or even just relaxing is a great way to boost your outdoor living experience. Not to mention, decks add living space at a fraction of the price of a fully enclosed living area. You can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $35 per square foot versus an enclosed addition which can run you anywhere from $100 to $150 per square foot. Decks also add to the overall value of your home and will be an asset when it’s time to sell.
8. Put up a fence for added privacy
Having a fence that provides privacy without being an eyesore is another great way to improve your outdoor living area and appeal to homebuyers. There are a variety of aesthetic fencing materials such as wood, vinyl, aluminum, wrought iron, and composite and all of which can range in price and require varying degrees of maintenance. So, before you run to the hardware store and start building a fence yourself, consider consulting with professionals to determine what material is best for you and your home. If you have never installed a fence before, you may want to hire out a team of professionals to do it for you so you can make sure it’s done right.
9. Give your exterior the facelift it deserves
Investing in an outdoor space that acts as a getaway can be one of the best ways to relieve stress and provide entertainment, while simultaneously adding to your homes curb appeal and overall value. Whether it’s sprucing up your lawn, adding exterior features like a fountain or a pool, or giving your walkway some love, investing in your homes curb appeal will make buyers eager to picture themselves living in your home. If you’re short on ideas, give your local landscaper, hardscaper, or exterior design expert a call - they can work with you to develop a personalized plan that will make your home the star of the cul-de-sac.
2 Comments
Nov 7, 2024, 1:15:41 PM
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Nov 7, 2024, 1:14:55 PM
Jessica Anderson - Selling your home during uncertain times like the coronavirus pandemic definitely requires a strategic approach. The tips in this article — such as utilizing virtual tours and focusing on quality photos— are incredibly helpful. It's interesting how incorporating modern technologies, like virtual staging, can also make a huge difference in presenting your property in the best light, which is something many of the best real estate companies in Dubai have been doing to enhance their listings as well. It's all about standing out and giving potential buyers the best possible experience.