How To Prepare an Old Home for Sale in Cary

By Cynthia Quarantello

Cynthia Quarantello is an award-winning Real Estate Agent specializing in buying and selling homes throughout the Triangle area. She holds advanced degrees in advertising, marketing, and business, which enable her to provide exceptional service to her clients.

Trying to figure out how to get your older home ready to sell? Getting an older home ready for listing can feel like a lot to take on. From repairs to updates, it’s normal to feel unsure where to begin, but you’re not alone.

Today, I will share a recent home project that we did. The home was built in 1991, and as expected, it needed some work. But the truth is, you don’t need a full remodel of every room to make a house sell fast. You just need the right strategy, focus on the things buyers care about most, the right updates, and someone to guide you through it step by step.

Let me show you exactly what we did and why it worked.

Start with the big repairs first. When buyers look at homes, they notice the big problems right away. This home had an old roof, so the first thing we did was to replace it. Buyers want to feel safe, and a worn-out roof is a big red flag.

Next, we fixed the areas with wood rot. It was not a fancy update, but it was very important. If we had ignored it, the home might have failed inspection, which could have led to delays or lost offers.

“When you make a few thoughtful updates, it becomes easier for buyers to picture themselves living there.”

Make smart updates. After the big stuff was done, it’s now time for the floors. The original plan was to extend the wood floors, but the cost was high. So we made a smart choice of installing high-quality luxury vinyl plank. It looked great, held up well, and stayed within budget.

Old light fixtures and ceiling fans were also changed. These simple changes made the rooms feel brighter and more inviting. In the main bedroom, fresh paint and a new fan helped the space feel clean and calm again.

Refresh the kitchen without a full remodel. The kitchen was not bad, but it needed a little help. We removed some outdated wood details and repainted the cabinets. These small changes helped the kitchen feel fresh and cared for. We also cleaned the outside of the home, including the driveway. A clean house, inside and out, makes a strong first impression.

Buyers are not looking for perfect homes; instead, they are looking for ones that feel ready. They want to move in and feel comfortable right away. When you make a few thoughtful updates, it becomes easier for buyers to picture themselves living there. That is what helps homes sell faster and for a better price.

If you’re thinking about preparing an outdated home for listing, call or text me at (919) 891-3612, or send me an email at Cynthia@cqrealtygroup.com. I would love to help you prepare your home in a way that feels simple, smart, and rewarding.