How Amenities and Preparing a Home For Sale Affect Pricing in Northern Colorado

Many sellers have a tendency to miss the price point for the home they have for sale here in Northern Colorado because they don't have a handle on how specific amenities affect the beginning sales price. A great deal of emphasis has been seen lately on the value of added "green inprovement features". Just because the seller has spent $50,000 on a photovoltaic solar system doesn't mean that a buyer is going to be willing to see that as a true price for the system. A pre-appraisal will tell the seller what the system adds in terms of the ultimate value it actually adds — it probably will not be $50,000.

Other additional features vary according to what the general home buying population values in different parts of the country. In Northern Colorado buyers, by percentage, value specific features as follows:

• Central air conditioning 59% (in Florida it is 91%)
• Full or partially finished basement 60%
• Hardwood floors 25%
• Garage with 2 or more spaces 65%
• Reserved parking 18%
• Monitored security system 11%
• Walk-in closet in master bedroom 51%
• Patio 47%
• Deck 17%
• Fencing 53%
• Lawn sprinkler system 41%
• In ground pool 8%
• Back yard/play area 51%
• Professional landscaping 21%
• Near public transportation 11%
• Skylights 5%
• Granite or upscale counter tops 31%

A good Northern Colorado Realtor familiar with the towns, areas and subdivisions will help you decide what adds value to a home in a specific areas. Obviously a home near Colorado State University in Fort Collins would be appealing to parents buying a home for their student if it was near a bus stop or had safe bicycling trails running by it. Or, in a family friendly neighborhood, a basement, back yard/play area, and fence yard would add appeal and competitive advantage over other homes in its locations and price range that didn't have these amenities.

Preparing Your Northern Colorado Home for Sale - Where to Put Your Time and Money

So, if you had a budget of say $4000 for updates where would it be best to put your money? Curb appeal is what generally gets people inside a house - begin here first. Rework the landscaping, repaint the front door, and reseal the driveway paving. Next, put your money into making the house shine - as in really clean. Hire professional cleaners to shampoo and stretch the carpets if necessary, wash the windows inside and out and make sure all the light fixtures are clean and all light bulbs are working.

Scents go a Long Way!

Make sure the home has "nose appeal". A light vanilla fragrance has a positive impact on most people. Use a plug in electric product, but set it on LOW and don't over do it or have it too heavy.  It will make a buyer think you are trying to cover some bad odor. Beyond this, you should talk to a professional stager and your realtor for advice on further improvements based on the neighborhood and your competition that is currently on the market. A lot of sellers spend money on other items and end up unable to get a return of any kind on these improvements. Finally, always be ready for a showing!

If you would like more information on your home's value or a comparative market analysis, please give John a call at 970-412-1657. Also, he can provide you with extensive information about buying or selling homes, town homes and condos in cities such as Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor or nearby urban and rural Northern Colorado areas. For more great information about the area please peruse our site and enjoy the wonderful stories, blogs and facts we've collected.