7 Tips for Selling an Older Home Like a Fine Wine Aging Gracefully
Some things, like wine, cheese, and comfy jeans, get better with age. Older houses aren’t always known for fitting that description, but yours can.
Remember floppy disks, rotary phones, and Saturday mornings with cartoons on VHS? Just like those throwbacks, older homes carry a charm you can’t replicate: cozy corners, real wood details, and stories in every creak of the floorboards. But selling one? That’s a different kind of challenge, which make home sellers seek out smart, effective tips for selling an older home.
Buyers today often want turnkey homes: move-in ready, open-concept everything, and smart-this-or-that. While vintage charm and architectural character may appeal to some buyers, others may see aging systems, outdated layouts, or the need for renovations as drawbacks. In fact, some might even see the home as more of a project than a place to live.
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Don’t worry, your home’s not the only golden oldie on the block. There are other “seniors” in the housing stock. About 26% were built between 1940 and 1969 — and nearly 13% were built in 1939 or earlier, which pushes the 100-year mark. While selling an old home definitely comes with several challenges, with the right prep and a little strategy, you can show buyers the magic behind those time-tested walls.
In this guide, we interviewed top real estate agent Patricia Anderson who has worked for over 20 years serving the Louisiana corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and has encountered her share of old and even historic properties. We’ll help you highlight your home’s charm, tackle its quirks, and get that classic beauty ready for its next owner.
