Your reasons for putting a home for sale can be many: you are looking for an upgrade, your family has grown larger or rather smaller, you have to move for work reasons or you simply need liquidity. Whichever it is, the goal will always be the same – sell the property as soon as possible and generate a profit.
To achieve this, although it seems contradictory, it is necessary to make a series of investments, which will guarantee that more people will be interested in the property. Think that you were the buyer, it is clear that you would look for the best in the market. So your home needs to be as attractive as possible so that the right customer will be interested in making a final offer.
For this reason, so that your sale is a success and you can define realistic and achievable expectations and goals, we remind you of some factors that will represent costs when selling your house.
Repairs
This is the first point for a reason; nobody wants to live in a house with defects. As an owner and seller, you must ensure that all structural elements in your home are of quality.
For example, repair leaks, pipes, paint in the rooms, make sure there are no molds, holes, pests, etc. Check that the doors do not have dents, chips or squeaks, that the floors have no scratches, so that everything is functional and pleasant.
Improvements or upgrades
On the other hand, some sellers seek to go a step beyond just repair and check that everything is in order, some people look for a wow factor to interest potential buyers and invest in extreme upgrades or renovations. For example, change the kitchen for granite finishes, build a pool or jacuzzi, etc. And if you have the time and money to do so it can be a huge plus for your sale.
However, it is not necessary to do something so radical, there are small scale improvements that have a very successful result, without having to invest so many dollars. Changes to doors, window frames, floors, cabinets, mirrors, etc.
Staging and cleaning
On the other hand, the final details are what differentiate one property from another, so you have to ensure that everything not only works well, but that it looks clean, organized and welcoming. For this, staging is key. This refers to the technique of arranging items within a room or space for the time of the property demonstration. With this method, clients can better imagine what it will be like to live there, it gives it a touch of personality.
In a market where inventory is growing more and more, the simple fact of having a clean house, in good condition and well presented can make a big difference for the sale.
Mario Barrantes – Nativu Escazú & Santa Ana
I have seen this even in houses within the same condominium, apparently identical, but one clean and well presented while the other poorly maintained
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Obviously, it must be accompanied by a rigorous cleaning, preferably done each time a new showing is received. Some tips are to check that there are no stains on the walls, floors or glass, remove dust and spider webs, use products with subtle scents in case buyers are sensitive to chemicals.
Commissions
Now, other costs of selling a house for services that must be paid when you put your property up for sale. A clear case is that of an expert, who measures and reviews the plans of the land of your home, to be clear about the dimensions and topography of the land.
Likewise, if you use the services and advice of a real estate agency, there is a commission that must be paid when closing the sale, it varies between the price for which the property is sold and in general the agreement or “package” that you have booked.
Clearly this investment is recommended since the costs cover the fact that the agents are the ones who make the showing of the property, that the company hires the photographer for the catalog of the same, that they give advice on marketing and legal issues, etc.
There are also the costs of legal services or attorney’s fees. The cost for these services ranges between 1% and 1.25% of the total cost of the transaction, as regards the transfer. In the case of complementary acts, the cost would be 0.625%.
Taxes
Finally, before selling the house you must be up to date with all municipal, rights or title payments and pay the necessary taxes to the property and to the different entities involved in the transfer of the property.
With this list you will have a clearer idea of the investments and costs of selling your house, so that the process does not take you by surprise and you can calculate them when negotiating with clients, so that you generate a substantial profit.
