St. Thomas Real Estate Trends

Imagine “The interior walls are neutral. The clutter is a distant memory. A shower door has been replaced. Bright tropical pillows adorn the couch. The kitchen and bathrooms sparkle.” You’re really ready for that open house. Our team at Sunhaven Realty can provide you with a professional and objective eye in order to get the most for your home. Besides a taditional market comparison we can develop a marketing plan tailored to your particular property and assist you in “staging your home” for a faster sale.

Unlike most other markets, we’re still in a strong sellers market here in the US Virgin Islands. But that doesn’t mean we’re on easy street. There’s still competition out there and everything must be considered to end up at the closing table.

Consider that our “days on market” are traditionally much longer than any stateside market, anything you do cosmetically to increase curb appeal is going to help not only the resale value but entice potential buyers inside.

Here's the bright spot: Some of the most effective improvements aren't very expensive. Giving rooms a fresh coat of paint, for example, quickly pays off.

If you're planning to add a "for sale" sign to the lawn this spring, consider these four areas while creating your to-do list.

1. First impressions count

You want to make a good impression from the moment potential buyers pull up to the house, experts say. First glimpses will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.

Peeling paint trim could be a kiss of death. An odd color could turn away potential buyers before they come inside. Clogged gutters or dead leaves littering sidewalks can give a bad first impression. Don't underestimate the importance of attractive and well-trimmed trees or bushes.

2. Neutralize and de-clutter  When it comes to preparing a home's interior, any real estate professional or stager worth a paycheck will advise a client to go with neutral colors. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, have the added advantage of making a room appear larger.

Removing the home's clutter is also extremely important for helping potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home.

Do some spring-cleaning and don’t forget the “sniff” test – unusual odors or pet hairs and dander can be a real turn off.

No matter how hard it is to put away those baby pictures and mementos from vacations remember you’re selling your house and not you and your family mementos.

3. Consider replacement projects Sellers might consider getting a home inspection before listing their home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects. The sellers can either fix any problems or give the buyers a discount to account for the repairs. We recommend making the necessary repairs before selling – it’s one less issue to deal with when an offer is made.

4. Kitchens and bathrooms rule It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms.  A kitchen or bath remodel can enhance the value of your house and make it more appealing to prospective buyers unless you get a little too edgy with the design or the materials you use.

If kitchen cabinets are structurally fine but their exteriors are outdated, it might be worth it to reface them. If counters are old, replacing them may add new life to the room. In the bathroom, look into new lighting fixtures add some plants and always put out fresh linens in a sophisticated color to add some punch.

Create a binder with appliance information and display the age of the water heater and air conditioning units. If either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly. Also include any documentation on replacement projects done recently. If any of the improvements cut energy costs, make that known, too. This will create a sense of pride in your home and will reflect positively with potential buyers.

Information has been modified and tailored to the US Virgin Island Real Estate Mrketplace SOURCE: MSN