After hitting a high of 7.79% back in October 2023, some experts predict that we may see interest rates falling below 6% this year. That may be exactly what is needed to push more buyers into the market. If you plan on selling your home in 2024, take these necessary steps to prepare yourself and your Lake Havasu home.
How to Prepare to Sell Your Lake Havasu Home
When Do You Want to Sell?
Typically, late spring favors the Lake Havasu home seller for both sale price and speed of sale. Also, quick tip, listing your house on Thursday gets you the best exposure to potential buyers. While May sounds like a long way from now, it will be here before you know it. Therefore, the sooner you start getting ready, the better.
Find a Good REALTOR®
A good Havasu real estate agent knows the local market, including current trends. They negotiate on your behalf and help you make the best deal possible. But how do you find them? Ask your friends, neighbors, colleagues, co-workers, etc. for recommendations. Talk to more than one before deciding on “the one”. Ask for references and then check those references out. Find out how long they’ve been working in the area and how many homes they have sold recently. Make sure to check that their license is current and valid. Ask them about their most difficult home sale and how they handled those issues. The more research and effort you put into finding the right seller’s agent, the better the outcome for you.
Start Scrubbing
cleaning your Lake Havasu home costs you nothing more than elbow grease. Get started on that right away. That means scrubbing walls, baseboards, window sills, floors, windows, carpet, etc. And while you’re at it, get rid of the clutter. First, start getting rid of the things you no longer use or need. Donate usable items to your local church, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Veteran’s Thrift Store, or Hospice of Havasu. Trash anything beyond repair. Then, start packing up anything you do not use every week. This also shortens your moving time considerably once you sell your home.
Repair or Replace
When a buyer sees something that needs repairing or replacing, they start making a mental tally about how much below the list price they plan to offer. And that amount is usually double to triple what the actual cost may be. Finish up any remodeling projects you started. Complete all repairs that you can. Even a squeaky hinge or a loose door knob may cause a buyer to pause.
Don’t Forget the Curb Appeal
Buyers receive an impression of your home from the very moment they pull up to it. So, make sure that your curb appeal is on point. Trim hedges. Clean stains off the driveway and sidewalks. Keep the pathway to the front door clear. Place trash bins on the side of the house, out of sight. Put tools and toys away. Make sure your home puts its best face forward from the get-go.
Set the Stage to Sell
Finally, home staging marks the final step before you list your Havasu home. Take the “less is more” approach. Make sure to pare down any large furniture so that it does not make a room feel smaller than it is. That may mean storing some of your furniture off-site until you sell your home. Get rid of any personal photos, mementos, artwork, etc. You want buyers to be able to envision your home as their home. This is more difficult to do if Junior’s drawings are left on the fridge and the school photos of your children adorn the walls.
When you decide to make the step to sell your Lake Havasu home, please contact us. We’ll be happy to come out and evaluate the best places to focus your efforts before you list.
Sunstone Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, Lake Havasu City, AZ