Secrets to Selling Your Luxury Home in a Softer Market

With rising inventory and mortgage rates, realtor.com forecasts a slowing market for luxury home sellers in 2019. Thinking of selling your home this year? Make your property stand out by opting for high-value updates and avoiding the obvious pitfalls.

If you are planning on selling in a few years:

• Kitchens sell homes: Clean, open, not fussy. If you plan to sell in the next five years, do a great kitchen update, enjoy it, and so will the next buyer.
  This custom, luxury kitchen has two center islands, butlers pantry, granite counters, travertine floors, and an eat-in area with views.

  This custom, luxury kitchen has two center islands, butlers pantry, granite counters, travertine floors, and an eat-in area with views.

• Update the master bathroom: Stylish, functional, and of high value to buyers
  Light and bright, this marble master bath with double sinks, separate shower and bathtub is both stylish and functional.

  Light and bright, this marble master bath with double sinks, separate shower and bathtub is both stylish and functional.

• Make the outbuildings fun: A clean, power-washed party barn or a great firepit or go-to place on the property add interest without major expense
  This 2-story boat house is definitely a fun outbuilding for the outdoor or boating enthusiast.

  This 2-story boat house is definitely a fun outbuilding for the outdoor or boating enthusiast.

If you are planning to sell soon:

• Paint and floors: The highest value improvements you can make are fresh paint and refinishing floors. We think of them as 10-1 payoffs.
• Go neutral. The homes color palette is an important backdrop. Neutral is well beyond white and beige. Browns, greys, blues and green are contemporary neutrals. We can help bring in a color consultant to bring out the best in your home.
  With neutral colors and texture, this 18th century farmhouse in Hamilton, MA feels open and inviting.

  With neutral colors and texture, this 18th century farmhouse in Hamilton, MA feels open and inviting.

• Take down dated window treatments. Buyers like light and clean.
• Highlight the propertys extras: Is there potential for an extra building lot or a rental apartment in the barn that might add to the propertys investment value? LandVest can help you understand your propertys potential and add to your bottom line!

Avoid common pitfalls:

• Repaint the ceiling after making roof repairs: We cant tell you how many houses we go into that have stained ceilings (particularly in attic spaces) after the roof has been fixed. Completely unnecessary red flags for buyers.
• Fix the small stuff: Dripping faucets, rotten trim, remove things that dont work, anything that looks broken or tired.

For additional information on selling or buying a home on Massachusett's North Shore, please contact us at ssoman@landvest.com or lrobb@landvest.com.

Want more upgrade tips? Check out Amy Gamerman's article in the Wall Street Journal, "The Top 10 Upgrades to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar".

See our banner image, 33 Proctor Street, for a home that perfectly followed all these secrets.