Before listing a home, there are a few steps to take to ensure your Boise luxury real estate reaches the largest number of serious buyers. Alongside preparing your home’s interior and exterior for professional listing photos and in-person showings, it’s important to research the local market and work with a professional for the best results. Before following this five-point checklist, here’s what you need to know about Boise and Eagle’s current market trends.
Eagle, located within the Boise Metro Area, is well-loved by buyers and residents alike for its elegant residential neighborhoods and stunning views of the Boise River. Sellers are in a favorable position to list in the cooling seller’s market, as median list prices remain high, and inventory is slowly growing from its depletion in the past year. With this in mind, follow these five steps before listing your home.
1. Research the local market
An important step to take when listing Eagle homes for sale is to research the local market. Sellers should do their best to time their sale in seller’s market conditions, which is when high buyer demand and low housing supply create high prices. Researching the market can help you predict how long a home sale will take, how to price your home, as well as what types of offers to expect from buyers.
As previously stated, Boise and Eagle are seller’s markets. In Ada County, the median sales prices for homes have dropped since May 2022 but are still 12.8% higher than they were a year ago. Buyer demand in this county is shrinking due to an increase in mortgage interest rates and higher home prices. This, coupled with a 192.9% inventory gain since June 2021, means that sellers won’t be seeing as intense buyer competition. However, this gain isn’t enough to create a balanced market quite yet.
2. Partner with a professional
To help guide you through listing your Boise luxury real estate, partner with a professional who knows the area well. An agent will know the current market trends and can use this information to conduct a competitive market analysis. This is when agents use data from comparable homes in the area to help you price your home competitively. An agent will know how to account for the city’s great natural views and well-designed communities.
An agent will also know what buyers in the area are looking for and can advise on home staging and renovations if you plan on completing any. They’ll have connections to services like a professional photographer, home contractor, and home stager to help you through the listing process, and when buyers start making offers, they’ll help you sort through them and negotiate. When you’ve accepted an offer, they’ll also guide you through the closing steps. An agent is a serious asset to have before and during the home listing process.
3. Make repairs and upgrades
When you’re sure about when to list, and you have professional guidance, prepare your home by making repairs and upgrades. To assess what work needs to be done on your property, consider getting a pre-home inspection. This ensures there aren’t any surprises further down the road when buyers order a home inspection after an offer is made. If no larger problems relating to a property’s roofing, foundation, or structure are revealed, begin completing smaller maintenance tasks. These include servicing your HVAC, changing air filters, fixing leaky faucets, and filling holes in walls.
To boost your property’s value, or to give it more of a chance on the market if it looks outdated, consider minor upgrades. Small projects can reap large benefits, such as painting walls neutral colors, replacing the hardware in your home with updated selections, or restaining hardwood flooring. Additionally, kitchen and bathroom renovations are generally safe bets with high ROI.
4. Clean and stage
When large projects are done, deep clean all areas of your property. A dirty home isn’t appealing to buyers and makes for poor listing photos. Hire a professional cleaner, or start the process yourself by wiping windows, dusting off cabinets and shelves, shampooing carpets, and mopping floors. Also, declutter your home, as overflowing closets or packed shelves create the illusion of less space. Donate the items you no longer need and keep belongings safe and out of the way by renting a storage unit.
Then, stage your home. Home staging helps buyers visualize how they might utilize the space, as it creates a blank canvas to imagine from. Take down family photos and personal belongings, then keep areas bright by opening windows and turning lights on. Use Boise’s beautiful nature views to increase curb appeal, as the home’s exterior is the first part of a home a buyer sees.
Related: Understanding the Importance of Staging for Home Sellers
5. Prepare a good listing
Before listing Eagle homes for sale, prepare a good listing with your agent. Many buyers begin their search online, which is why having professional photos is important to draw a buyer’s eye. A professional will know how to capture the standout features of your property and will have the skills and software needed to edit the photos for the best viewing experience.
Then, create a listing description describing the particulars of your home, such as size, number of rooms, and features or relevant upgrades. Also, highlight the surrounding area and neighborhood. For example, sellers listing their Boise homes may include perks like the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt, great summer weather perfect for visiting Boise River or exploring hiking trails, as well as the several shops of trendy BoDo.
Ready to list your Idaho home?
There are a few things to prepare before listing your home to sell in Boise or Eagle, and by following this five-point checklist, you’re better prepared to tackle the process. When you’re ready to start selling, contact experienced local agents Stacey King and Manda Edge to guide you through it. The King and Edge Real Estate team is knowledgeable and experienced in the Treasure Valley market.
