Listing your home for sale is a big step. Many first-time sellers quickly become overwhelmed, especially regarding Chicago area properties. There are so many different neighborhoods, different types of buyers, and different styles of homes. Gold Coast is located right by Lake Michigan and is a historic district in Chicago’s Near North Side. The neighborhood has mansions and row houses along high-rise apartments.
If you are upgrading your home or moving on from Gold Coast, keep reading. This is Rose Alvarez’s ultimate guide to selling your home in Gold Coast. Rose Alvarez is a seasoned REALTOR® in Chicago and has collected these home-selling tips throughout her many years of helping people buy and sell property. Read this if you want to get top dollar for your Gold Coast home and sell quickly. It has everything you need to know!
Highlight what sets your home apart
Walk through your home before listing and think about what makes it stand out among other properties in the area. Does it have a historic fireplace original to the property? Views of Lake Michigan? Is a feature wall of original brick still in great condition?
Whatever it is that sets your home apart, make sure you highlight that. While there are not many Gold Coast real estate options for buyers still, doing what you can to set yourself apart and make your home memorable will make a big difference when buyers view the home. A fresh coat of paint, staging the area to draw the eye to your features, or simply taking extra care to clean and prepare that area for sale can all help highlight these areas!
Deep clean and declutter
This is a simple step that is easy to do, but many sellers skip it. You should always deep clean and declutter your home before you list. A clean house shows the buyer that it is well cared for, which will help sway a potential buyer who may be on the fence about the home.
Decluttering your home does a few things for it, but the most important thing is it shows a buyer that the home will fit their needs. If your primary closet is filled to capacity and your shelves overflow with memories or knickknacks, they may (incorrectly) think there isn’t enough space. Take some time before you list to pair down your things, and your home will immediately look larger and more open. Don’t be afraid to store anything you don’t need right now outside of your home, like in a friend’s garage or attic space.
Make any repairs before your home goes to market
It’s easy to overlook things that need to be repaired in your home, especially when it’s something you see or use every day. Most of us have a squeaky door hinge, an ice maker in the fridge that gets strangely loud when it runs, or a sink drain that is a little slower than it should be.
These small things can add up for a buyer touring your home. No one wants to make repairs before they move into a home! Check for anything broken, squeaky, or needing attention, and take care of it immediately. You want to give a buyer the best first impression possible, and fixing these issues will make a huge difference.
Updates may be worth it
Doing a major renovation before selling is probably not going to be worth it financially. Not only does it delay when you can get to market, but it’s a lot of money upfront that may not give you the return on investment you want.
However, design-wise, minor updates to bring your home into the current year can be worth it. If your lighting fixtures are dated, switching to newer fixtures and designs can make a big difference. Doing a major overhaul to a bathroom can be a big project, but changing your vanity to something modern or getting rid of older sink and shower fixtures will make an impact.
If you do no other updates, consider painting your walls. Paint is one of the first impressions your buyers will get of the interior, and it sets the tone for the entire home. It helps give the impression of a home that is well maintained, and buyers are less likely to try and spot any flaws in the home as they walk through the property.
When painting, you will want to try and appeal to all buyers. Neutrals are going to be the best option for most homes. Choose a paint scheme that fits with your furniture and any lighting fixtures you have, and avoid colors that may not appeal to everyone, such as bright colors or patterned wallpaper everywhere.
Staging can attract more buyers
If you don’t stage your home before listing, you’re doing yourself a major disservice. Gold Coast real estate is still very much in demand, but staging your home can help set your property apart from others on the market.
Staging also helps a buyer visualize themselves living in the home. If buyers can picture themselves living in the home, they are more likely to become emotionally attached. This will lead to a faster offer at a higher price and, ultimately, a faster sale.
According to data from the National Association of REALTORS®, buyers value staging most in the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom. Every room in your home should have some purpose, though!
Use a local Real Estate Agent
The best thing you can do when selling your Gold Coast home is to use a local Real Estate Agent. By using a local Real Estate Agent, you’re getting someone who knows the area and the type of buyers who are interested in Gold Coast. They will also have connections that an inexperienced Real Estate Agent simply won’t have yet.
When you’re ready to list, or if you want to talk more about the process of listing your home, reach out to Rose Alvarez. Rose has over 22 years of experience helping buyers and sellers in the Chicago area and will take the time to guide you through the process of selling your home. Call today and start the selling process!
