Political ties aside, DC is home to more than just lawmakers, museums, and memorials. As it turns out, our nation’s capital also happens to house the highest concentration of storied homes in the country. And while sellers with more dated listings may cringe at the thought of competing against shiny new builds for a buyer’s attention, the truth is that many people actually prefer their homes to come with character built-in. Of course, there’s a fine line between charm and disrepair.

Planning to sell your lived-in home sometime this year? Keep reading for our top tips to listing (and selling) an older home like the fine wine it is.

#1 Show Your Maintenance Receipts: Even the most enthusiastic buyers of historic homes want to know they’re not inheriting a maintenance headache. In fact, about 39% of buyers who recently purchased homes said they wanted to avoid renovations and problems with plumbing and electricity, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Other concerns that should be on your radar? The state of the basement and the condition of the roof in particular. Our advice? Before listing, we suggest hiring a home inspector or other specialist so you can identify and get ahead of any issues that could be deal-breakers down the line.

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➤ Are you thinking about selling your home in the near future? Read these posts next:

• 5 Luxury Renovation Tips to Boost Your Resale Value
• An Elevated Approach to Listing Your Home
• Brokerage Vs. Real Estate Team: What is the Difference?

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#2 Let The Home’s History Take Center Stage: If the main draw of an older home is the history behind it, why not capitalize on that mystique? Chances are, the same quirks and features that made you fall in love with the home will resonate with prospective buyers, too — from the original Victorian stained glass in the kitchen to the secret speakeasy in the basement. And if your home was once owned by a prominent citizen or represents a particular construction technique? Even better. At The Jenn Smira Team, we’ll weave all the stories and antiquities contained within your home into a marketing narrative that captivates.

#3 Make Practical Updates: Let’s be real: Not every aspect of older homes has aged well. In other words? There’s a difference between emphasizing your home’s charming architectural touches and leading prospective buyers through a time machine that doesn’t reflect their modern lifestyle. Even if those outdated popcorn ceilings don’t bother you anymore, we can promise that they will leave a negative impression on buyers all the same. Small tweaks like a coat of paint, new kitchen cabinets or drawers, and energy-efficient fixtures can go a long way in helping your home look up-to-date.

#4 Set The Stage: You may already know that staging a home can help it sell faster and for more money — but when the home has some mileage on it, the stakes are even higher. Wondering where to start? Try adding some curb appeal by mowing the lawn and trimming the bushes, remove dated furniture, and turn that spare room into a home office to help visitors see the possibilities. Remember: You want buyers to feel like they’re exploring a treasure trove of curated vintage finds interspersed throughout a livable space — not traveling back in time.

Seeking more staging inspiration? We’ve got just the article for you: 4 Things To Know About Staging

#5 Be Transparent: Sometimes, there’s just no getting around it: Your home needs significant work. In cases like this, honesty is always the best policy — especially since it’s only a matter of time before the buyer discovers these problems during the inspection process anyway.

Ready to kick off the listing process? We’re here to help. Book a consultation with us right here.