Columbus, Ohio and Central Ohio home resale tips and information.

One day you will sell your house, so thoughtful design and finish decisions made now will allow you to be competitive later. This is where an Exclusive Buyer's Agent will add the most resale value to your transaction.

Remember:

• Keep in mind how the next Buyer will evalutate your home. It is your home, but to keep it competitive you will also want to consider how it will appeal to the market at the time of resale. What will the marketplace of Buyers think? Why will someone fall in love with your house?
• Work with your Agent to make the right choices for upgrades. There are always items that you are going to want that are not included in the price. There are two issues to keep in mind:
  • To be competitive at resale you will have to have the appropriate upgrades for your particular market. If everyone in your price range has a master bath with separate tub and shower, you will need it too.
  • Certain upgrades will not add proportionate value to the home. If you over-improve you may not recoup your investment. If no one in your market has a fireplace and you spend $2,000 for one, it will not necessarily add $2,000 to the value of your home. If you are going to do it, make sure you really enjoy it.
• Be aware that the Builders normally make large profits from upgrades. It would not be surprising that the percentage profit is higher on upgrades than it is on the house itself. They deserve to make a profit because they have to manage the building process.
• Lot choices: think resale. This is the one place that you want to be the most careful. Think about evolving traffic patterns and adjacent development. Don't assume that large empty lot behind your home is going to be more single family homes. It may be something that creates a negative impact on your future value. Don't select a lot that backs to the freeway just because it is $5,000 cheaper. That may lower the value of your home by more then $5,000. Spend the money to get the best lot.
• Most inexpensive houses come with a minimum of included features. It's not surprising on entry level housing to see a low advertised base price but you have to spend another $20,000 to get the features that you should have for resale. If every other house has a half bath on the first floor, you should have one, too. You will pay dearly at resale if you compromise the wrong features.
• "Spec homes" or inventory homes are usually the best way to get the best deal on a new build. Usually, a spec home is one where the original Buyer is no longer able to purchase the home. The best values are found when the original Buyer has overbuilt for the market and selected too many upgrades. The Builder will usually discount them and it is a good opportunity to get upgrades without paying the full price. The downside of spec homes is that you don't get "exactly" what you want.