Local realtors say homeowners often spend thousands to sell their home
PORTAGE, Mich. — Realtors say Spring is a good time to consider listing your home if you're interested in selling it. According to a recent report by CBS News, homeowners spend an average of $21,000 prepping their home before selling it.
Phil Copeland is with Jaqua Realtors. He said $21,000 seems a little high for West Michigan, but agrees often times homeowners will spend money to sell their home.
"Buyers in the $110,000 to $150,000 range might expect something a little bit different than buyers in the higher range," said Copeland.
He said homeowners should be prepared to spend money on sprucing up their home and for agent commissions. He said having that conversation with your realtor is critical before putting the for sale sign up in your yard.
"If you have whatever agreed upon price, that is you think you want to sell your house for, add 8 to 10 percent and that will get you what your fees could possibly be," Copeland said.
Phil and his wife, Kitty, are a package deal. Kitty owns KalamazooKitty. If he's your agent then you can get your home staged too with products from Kitty's store.
"Staging is very important. We find when someone walks into a vacant house in particular they get very overwhelmed," said Kitty Copeland.
She said staging helps the house flow and it gives buyers the ability to envision themselves in the home.
"Cleaning is always the top of the list. Then light bulbs. Making sure every fixture has a bulb and that it's a soft white. Don't start replacing wood floors or anything like that unless it's really in bad shape" said Kitty Copeland.
The Copelands shared a few other tips including power wash the outside of your home, freshen up your landscaping by adding some new mulch and updating the kitchen and bathrooms if it fits in your budget.
