Boston Condos for Sale in 2021

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Is your Beacon Hill condo selling? 10 Tips for Selling in 2021

Selling a home in today’s market certainly isn’t as difficult as in years past, but agents still want to be sure their sellers are putting their best foot forward. From simple upgrades to easy tasks and repairs, we asked local Realtors for their tips for getting the best offer for their sellers in this historic market.

Taking a thorough walk through the home and the property before listing and noting what needs to be done is something Realtors we spoke with do each and every time. The first thing does is go through the entire property and create a punch list of what needs to be done to get a home ready to sell.

From making minor fixes to curb appeal issues and everything in between, here is what the experts we spoke with suggest for getting the most out of your listing.

Exterior curb appeal: One of the first things potential buyers notice is the exterior curb appeal of the house. It’s their first impression of your property. Alavi suggests mulching the flower beds, cutting overgrown bushes and shrubs, seeding the lawn and even adding seasonal flowers or plant arrangements in planters or adding cute accent solar lights by the walkway.

Declutter: Clutter can be a major turnoff for potential buyers and can take away from all a home has to offer. From removing personal items to taking bulky things out and putting them in storage, decluttering is key before listing a home.

Alavi says “less is best.” From clutter on kitchen counters, in the closets, in the cabinets or in the basement she says “get rid of it.” “I always say, ‘Pretend you are going into a furniture store when you go into a room that is staged,’” she said. “That is what you want your property to look like. Like no one lives there.”

Jill McTague, a Realtor with REMAX/Andrew Realty Services and Deb on the Web Realty Group, says you want the buyers to come in and want to live there.

“I always say the number one thing is to have a clean house and I tell people you have to declutter,” she says. “Take the personal stuff away; rent a storage unit to take bigger items out. The goal is to make the room look bigger, and if you have a ton of furniture in it, it won’t work. The old expression ‘less is more’ is true. The less furniture in a room the better.”

Make the most of outdoor areas: If you have a nice backyard, deck or patio, Alavi says stage it with outdoor furniture to make it inviting. “Get nice cushions and planters to make that space look really nice. Maybe add some accent lighting or string lighting to create a welcoming environment,” she said.

McTague says you can have two houses right next door to each other that are identical, but if one is clean, decluttered and spruced up, it will sell for much higher than the one that isn’t. “People just get anxiety going through a house with too much stuff,” she said.

It’s also important to make sure the exterior of the home is also decluttered.

“The yard is a big deal, and it doesn’t take a big expense to rake and throw trash away,” McTague said. “Be sure to declutter the yard as well. If it’s something you want to put a little money in, that is one of the things you’ll see a return on.” If the yard isn’t in the best shape and it’s too big of an expense, McTague says stage it. “Even if the grass is terrible add a little seating area out there.”

A fresh coat of paint: A fresh coat of paint is a must before listing. “It makes the home feel clean and new,” she said.

Alavi suggests always painting the ceilings and getting a neutral color on the wall. She also suggests removing wallpaper if necessary.

Make basic repairs: Don’t forget to take stock of basic repairs from a ripped screen door to leaking faucets or an off-track closet door. “These are basic things people look at,” Alavi said. “I recommend if anything is peeling — a garage door, window trims, deck — sand or stain or paint them. It just looks bad and that’s what the buyers will see.” She also suggests fixing any loose roof tiles, cleaning the gutters and having some masonry work done if the home has any loose bricks or stonework.

“If you have a new roof but had a leak previously and never fixed the ceiling, you want to paint that,” McTague said, adding that these minor repairs are important because it’s the small things like a loose railing, loose floorboard, chipped paint that make people think the house hasn’t been taken care of. She also suggests cleaning the grout in the tile or regrouting the tile in the bathroom.

Service all the systems: “I always say service all the systems,” Alavi said. “Make sure the air conditioning, furnace and water tank are all working properly. Get them serviced and have the current records attached to that equipment. Buyers love that. That’s what I always recommend.”

Remove carpeting: If the home has wall-to-wall carpeting over beautiful hardwood floors, remove it. “Get rid of it, it’s worth every penny and you’ll get your money back all day long,” Alavi says.

Security systems and smart thermostats: Consider installing a wireless security system. Alavi says people love the Ring Alarm systems, and since they are low-cost, it’s easy and it’s something buyers would love to see. She says buyers also love smart thermostats, another inexpensive install.

Bring in professional cleaners: Once everything is done, get your listing ready to roll by bringing in a professional cleaner to make sure everything is sparkling and ready for its next potential owner.

Trying to sell your Beacon Hill condo for sale? Almost everything involved with selling your home can seem intimidating. Breaking the process down step by step will keep you organized and ready to work with a Boston real estate agent toward a successful home sale.

1. Choose a Boston Real Estate Broker

A lot goes into choosing the right agent. If you’re unsure where to start, get referrals from trusted friends, family, and Google Reviews. Although the ultimate goal is the sale, think about your compatibility outside of the transaction. Their ability to connect with you on a human level through the ups and downs of a Boston real estate sale is just as important as their expertise and knowledge of the market.

2. Set a Boston condo for sale timeline

Depending on the Boston real estate market conditions, your timeline for selling your home may vary. However, a timeline is valuable in that it will keep you organized throughout the selling process and allows you to adjust if circumstances change. Your agent will work with you to build the ideal timeline.

3. What is your Beacon Hill condo worth?

The key to selling quickly is correctly pricing your Beacon Hill home from the first day it hits the market. In particular, overpricing can lead to serious complications in the selling process. Your agent can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to better determine the best price for your home. CMAs provide information on comparable home sales in your area, both pending and sold, within the past six months.

4. Beacon Hill condo for sale repairs & upgrades

Now it’s time to get to work on the condominium repairs. Create a list separating which repairs can be done yourself and which need professional attention. This is the time to consider a pre-sale home inspection to identify structural and mechanical problems before your home is on the market.

5. Make the best first impression

Making an impactful first impression goes a long way in the minds of buyers, so roll up your sleeves and prepare to check off that to-do-list. Start by cleaning up the Beacon Hill building hallways and pick up any outdoor trash, and adding color to your flower beds. Apply a fresh coat of paint anywhere you spot peeling or cracked paint. A great way to make an impact is by staging your home, with the goal of making each room feel as spacious and welcoming as possible.

6. Show your Beacon Hill home

Your local pandemic-era regulations will dictate the ability of agents to conduct in-person showings and open houses. Discuss virtual home tour options with your agent and other ways to generate maximum buyer interest. For in-person showings, it’s best that you leave the premises so the buyer can freely ask their agent questions and visualize the home as their own.

7. Offers & negotiation

If you are in a seller’s market—defined by low inventory and high buyer competition—it is likely that you will receive offers at – or above – asking price. You can respond to an offer by a) accepting the offer, b) making a counteroffer or c) rejecting the offer. Counteroffers should always be made in writing and provide a short window of time for the potential buyer to respond. If you are selling in a buyer’s market, you may have to be more open to negotiation. Discuss negotiation strategies with your agent to work toward a satisfying final price.

8. Prepare for closing costs

There are costs throughout the selling process, and as the close date approaches, that remains true. Be sure to budget for your real estate agent’s commission, and other common seller’s costs like title insurance, recording fees, and government transfer tax, among others.

9. Home inspection

Buyer offers are usually contingent upon a professional home inspection. Ask your agent for a home inspection checklist, so you know what the inspector is looking for ahead of time. They typically inspect the home’s foundation, structure, roof, plumbing, and electrical systems, floors, windows, doors, and more for signs of damage and weathering.

10. Closing time

Congratulations! Your home is sold, but there are still some final steps before the deal is done. This is the time to ask the buyer to release any contingencies, sign the title, and close escrow before handing over the keys. Consult your real estate agent for any questions about legal documentation and settlement costs.

How many showings should your Boston Beacon Hill home be getting once it goes on the market? As a Beacon Hill real estate agent, I’ve learned that every seller has their own expectation – some are fine with one potential buyer looking around every week are so, some are calling in indignation if their Beacon Hill condo gets less than ten showings in the first three days on the market.