Closed Floor Plan? How to Sell an Older Home

Real estate trends seem to come and go with the wind, but one that seems to have had real staying power is the concept of an open floor plan. Families who like to entertain get excited by the thought of one open room where everyone can be together, and for those who are selling a home without this feature, it can bring some anxiety to the selling process.

First and foremost, every home on the market has appealing aspects, and as long as it’s valued and made to be appealing for what it is, the right buyer will come along and snag it. For those who are still worried, here are a few approaches for trying to sell a closed floor plan property, especially in competitive markets like the Shores.

Work Together To Get Creative

Certainly some home buyers are more picky than others, and the ones who have their hearts set on an open floor plan might not be the best candidates for your older home. However, that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost! Partnering with your real estate agent to market the incredible aspects of your home is a great way to detract from other less desirable features.

Does the home have a luxurious master bathroom complete with a huge walk-in closet? Make sure to emphasize that during an open house. How about the low maintenance yard or the quiet neighborhood? All positive aspects about the home should be played up as much as possible to overcome any challenges that might present themselves as a result of a closed floor plan.

Many home buyers are bucking against the trend of open floor plans anyway, and are opting to have more defined and private spaces in their homes. Entertaining might be easier with a separate place to prepare food, and household catastrophes can be contained without affecting the entire space.

Can It Be Changed?

When push comes to shove, it might be difficult to sell an older home with a closed floor plan. If homeowners find that their home just isn’t selling as quickly as they’d like, a remodel is always an option. Be sure to consult with a contractor, as closed floor plans often include load bearing walls that shouldn’t be removed.

However if the changes you want to make won’t negatively affect the structure of the home, it might be worth it to knock down a few walls and open things up. Ultimately it comes down to the time and investment that you’re willing to make and how much that will pay off when it comes time to sell.

Don’t Be Desperate

All too often some homeowners don’t believe in the value of their own home and think that a closed floor plan means it’s worth less money at sale time. This can lead them to not fully utilize all of their resources when it comes to creatively marketing their home, and eventually can shortchange their sale.

Remember, most things are sold these days due to marketing, so be sure to get creative with your home listing. A remodel is also an option for those who want to take a little more time converting the home into something that will sell more quickly. Ultimately the choice is yours, but just keep in mind that a closed floor plan isn’t a deal breaker.