How Seniors Can Prep Their Homes for Sale to Support Downsizing Efforts

Your senior years are a time of significant change. Changes to your mind and body are inevitable, as are changes to your finances and living conditions. In many ways, these changes will subsequently demand a lifestyle shift, as well as the need for more care, assistance, and the like.

It’s a circular process, yes, which will ultimately take a toll on your financial situation. It’s for this reason that most seniors sell their lifelong homes in order to downsize to a home that’s more friendly to their current income, lifestyle, and all-around needs. If this is a decision you’re also facing, it’s only natural — not to mention, prudent — that you’ll want to set up your home to sell quickly and successfully. Here’s how.

Do the math.

It’s safe to say that selling your home for top dollar will be your objective, first and foremost. Due diligence here is undoubtedly the best way to start the process. In fact, this is a crucial step to take before listing your home as it makes you better poised to compete with other properties going up for sale in your market—and maybe even come out on top.

A logical first step is, of course, is surveying the local housing market to see how much similar homes in your area are going for. For instance, home prices in Plymouth and similar areas are currently averaging at $413,000. Having this information will offer you a clearer picture of how much you can realistically sell your own home.

It doesn’t end there. This research can reveal other valuable information, such as how long properties in your area stay on the market before a successful sale, and types of upgrades sellers are choosing to make, which you’ll find extremely useful as you prepare your home for sale.

Make beneficial changes.

How well you prep your home before listing is arguably one of the most—if not, the most—important contributing factors to a successful sale. The fact is, potential homebuyers often go into their search with a clear picture of what they want in a home. They likely already know their must-have amenities and features, as well as the ones that they can do without.

Needless to say, being privy to this kind of data gives you an edge as you prep and set up your home for the sale. As a rule, opt for home improvements that are known to increase value. Kitchen and bathroom renovations and upgrades are almost always a hit—with high ROIs to boot—as are sprucing up the landscaping, replacing flooring, and adding storage spaces.

Surprisingly, you don’t even need to spend a great deal on improvements to drive up your home’s value. In fact, there are affordable upgrades you can do that will only set you back a few hundred dollars. A fresh coat of paint, for one, will almost certainly do the trick. Ditto with changing your decor and simply cleaning up.

Hit two birds with one stone.

In that same vein, decluttering and depersonalizing your home are critical steps. This is because prospective buyers will be more inclined to embrace a home they can see as their own, making it very important to keep personal effects to a minimum.

As a bonus, decluttering your home before you list it gives you a headstart in downsizing your things and packing up for your eventual move. This is ultimately one less thing to worry about as moving (especially for seniors) can be fraught with anxiety.

Your home is one of your most important investments, so it’s only natural to want to get the most ROI when you sell it. And with your future safety and comfort literally riding on a successful, you’ll definitely want to do it right. So take these foolproof measures to heart to make the biggest change of your life a welcome and pleasurable one.

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