There’s really never been a better time to sell your home. The Boston housing market is on fire! Home values and home sales exploded in 2020, and that rapid growth and demand aren’t showing signs of slowing down just yet.
“This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for home sellers, especially seniors who are considering downsizing,” says Kevin Defayette, Executive Director of Waterstone at the Circle. “By taking advantage of the seller’s market, you’re able to sell your home for top dollar, move out before you have to get your house ready for winter and set yourself up for success in a premier retirement community like Waterstone at the Circle.”
Kevin says that no one knows for sure when the housing market will cool off. “Now that businesses are bringing people back into the office, especially those in major cities, it’s possible that the demand for housing will slow down,” Kevin explains. “But if moving to a retirement community has been on your mind, right now is the perfect time – you’ll be able to sell quickly without having to make huge and costly renovations. Then, you can sit back, relax and get ready for a new and vibrant chapter of life.”
Making Your Home a Hot Commodity When the Weather Cools
Before you place that FOR SALE sign in your yard and start scheduling showings, it’s important to thoughtfully plan your next steps. A hot real estate market means that you’ll be able to sell quickly, but you also want to make sure you’re getting the best possible price for your home. Buyers these days are savvy, and although they’re willing to overlook things like carpeting and older kitchens, there are still things you can do to make your home more attractive and desirable. Here are some expert tips to help you navigate this unique atmosphere.
1. Hire a professional Realtor®.
Today’s best Realtors® understand the variables that go into selling a home. You’ll want to make sure you choose someone who has extensive knowledge of your neighborhood, who knows how much you could potentially get for your house, who will price the listing correctly and who can market your home to the fullest. Professional photos, clean staging and marketing in the proper channels will ensure that your home sells quickly and for top dollar.
2. Be flexible with showings and open houses.
Depending on where you live and what your agent suggests, you may not even need to hold an open house. If you do, consider holding a “virtual” open house or some other format that allows buyers to socially distance while also getting the most eyes possible on your property. These days, people who are looking for homes start online, so a virtual tour or open house may be the norm. To that end, it’s important to be even more flexible when it comes to tours and showings of your home. You may want to consider spending a few days at a hotel or family member’s home, so you don’t have to scramble when someone wants to come check it out.
3. Start packing and decluttering ASAP.
One thing’s for sure: If you’re selling your home, that means you’ll be moving somewhere else. Get a head start on your packing and downsizing as early as possible. Go through your items and sort everything into keep, donate or toss piles. You may want to hire a senior move specialist to assist you with this – as they can handle everything from top to bottom: decluttering, setting up estate sales, coordinating donations and even moving your items to your new place!
4. Embrace the beauty of the season.
Fall is a gorgeous time of year filled with rich colors, delicious scents and cozy textures. Put buyers in an autumnal mood by tastefully decorating your home to match the season. Decorate your front porch and entrance with colorful mums, pumpkins, gourds and other fall features. Inside, use color and texture to instill a fall feel. Don’t forget the power of scent – flameless candles and plug-ins can thrill the nose and make your home feel even cozier.
5. Make minor repairs; don’t renovate.
Consider the law of diminishing returns. Making minor repairs and upgrades can give your home a facelift quickly and affordably. Things like a fresh coat of paint on the walls, fixing broken or sticky doors, or installing a new water heater can make your home look and feel new again. Don’t spring for a costly remodel, though. Not only will you potentially not recoup the cost, but it also takes time – especially these days when getting contractors can be a real waiting game. Buyers will overlook outdated features in order to get into the homeownership game.
6. Consider curb appeal.
The first thing buyers will see about your home is the outside – so make sure it’s picture-perfect. Touch up any peeling paint, trim bushes, clean out mulch beds and make sure that leaves are raked and bagged. You may want to hire a landscaper to add some seasonal touches to your garden beds for additional curb appeal.
7. Price your home right.
This is where having a professional Realtor® really comes into play. Setting your home at a certain number will determine how many searches the property comes up in, as well as determining whether or not potential buyers will immediately consider (or dismiss) it. There’s a reason why agents price things at $299,950 instead of $300,000 – it’s a psychological trigger that makes things appear affordable versus “too much.” The trick these days is to get as many people looking as possible at an entry price that’s just right. That way, you’ll more than likely be looking at a bidding war.
8. Be ready for your next move.
If you’re deciding to downsize to a retirement community, take some time before listing your home to tour and reserve your new home at a place you love. Since the market is so hot, you may find yourself moving sooner than you expect!
Selling your home can be a lot of work, but it is also very exciting. With proper planning, a smart strategy and knowledge of your next steps, you’ll be able to get your home sold quickly and get yourself into your new home just in time to enjoy all your favorite fall and winter celebrations.
Luxury Senior Living in Boston
Waterstone at the Circle, located in Boston’s historic Cleveland Circle neighborhood, is more than just independent living in Boston … it’s a sophisticated urban setting for today’s active seniors. Enjoy best-in-class service and an urban lifestyle with arts, cultural and historical attractions right outside your front door. From high-end amenities to gourmet dining and more, experience the best of city and suburban life at our upscale senior living community located on the crossroads of Brookline and Chestnut Hill.
Elegant Independent Living Apartments
Each of our 92 independent living apartments is the height of luxury and modernity, with sophisticated design, upscale features and stunning views of the city. Create the urban senior living experience you want with one- or two-bedroom apartments, a variety of floor plans and monthly rentals.
Senior Living Supportive Services
As an over-62 community, residents may require support from time to time. That’s why we’ve developed an on-site coordinated care program, in cooperation with our premier community partners, that allows our independent living residents to receive the assistance they need.
The best part? Residents don’t have to leave our senior living community – or even their apartment – to receive high-quality support. They can receive the services they need, when they need them, in the comfort of their own homes or in our on-site therapy gym.
Waterstone at the Circle is the opposite of retiring . . . it’s a place to enhance your active, on-the-go lifestyle. Call 617.431.1880 for more information or to schedule a visit to our premier Boston independent living community and discover The Circle lifestyle today!