7 Tips to Sell a House Fast in Budget-Friendly Macon As It Tops WFH Charts

Your current house in Macon, Georgia, has served you well — perhaps for many years while you resided in a city where you grew up or have come to love later in life. But you’re ready to put your Macon home on the market for the next owner. You might hope to trade your historic property in Ingleside for a larger plot in Wesleyan Woods. Or, you may be relocating out of the Heart of Georgia for a new coastal adventure. First, you must sell your home fast in Macon, hopefully to someone who will appreciate all that it has to offer!

We’ve consulted dozens of relevant local sources including The Telegraph, Middle GA MLS, and a top Macon real estate agent to put together this guide to selling your house fast in Macon based on the latest housing trends. Follow our tips to market your home in the big-little town attracting buyers for its work-from-home potential, education opportunities, and affordability.

1. Attract remote workers migrating from expensive cities

Think your Macon town of 153,000 is totally off the radar from buyers who are from Atlanta or even the Big Apple? Think again. PC Magazine recently named Macon one of the best work-from-home cities of 2021 in the nation based on livability and budget-friendliness.

According to local news channel 13WMAZ, people come for Macon’s low housing costs, and stay for the wonderful setting that includes lots of non-chain coffee shops, restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene. With the pandemic opening doors for computer jobs to be done remotely,  workers are able to live large by fetching a big-city salary while residing in the middle of Georgia.

As a Macon seller, you’d be wise to stage one of your bedrooms as a home office, especially if you have a roomy home. Our home office staging guide recommends a glass desk paired with a stylish chair for a clean and modern look evoking spaciousness.

Pick a room with plenty of natural sunshine to show that the next owner wouldn’t even need a ring light for web conferences during the day. As a bonus, place a bookshelf behind the desk as a staged “Zoom background.” Most importantly, keep the room clutter free so buyers see their dream office in your home. Be ready to share information on your Wi-FI setup and access with buyers, too — a home office is no good without high-speed internet!

2. Position your larger downtown home as a college rental to landlords

Investors in Macon could be interested in using your downtown property as a rental for junior and senior college students. Macon is home to Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University, Wesleyan College, Central Georgia Technical College, and a satellite campus of Miller-Motte Technical College for a grand total of about 20,000 students. In a city with a population of 153,000, that’s not to be ignored! In fact, renters make up 37.4% of the Macon population, according to BestPlaces.

Tom Wilson, president and owner of Wilson & Hall Appraisals in Macon, said the growing popularity of Mercer University has helped revitalize Downtown Macon, where the campus is located. “So that has had an effect on businesses, that’s had an effect on restaurants … with the growth of the university in the downtown area, the rental market has shot up significantly,” he says. “They’ve actually had new construction and people renovating older houses.”

Consider these tips:

Target your Macon home listing to investors

If your house would make a great student rental, be sure to highlight its proximity to campus, pet-friendly features like a fenced-in yard, and off-street parking. In addition, keep your renovations to a minimum. Investors typically focus on their potential rental income versus upscale materials or features.

Consider going off-market

You may be able to attract would-be landlords on the open market by tailoring your listing this way. However, if you need to fast-track your home sale even further, consider reaching out to an investor directly to gauge their interest, as many will prefer to buy off-market with cash.

Get a cash offer from HomeLight

If you go this route, be prepared to close quickly and potentially take a discount on price as investors will have to account for their profit margins and may be less swayed to drive up the price based on emotion. If you’d like to explore this option for a fast, easy sale in Macon, HomeLight can provide you with a cash offer from a verified buyer through our Simple Sale platform. We estimate a home’s Simple Sale price to be 90%-95% of a home’s fair market value.

3. Spruce up any of these common trouble areas in Macon homes

Houses in Macon skew on the older side; 45.2% of Macon homes were built between 1970-1999, and another 31.3% are even older, with ages dating back to 1940-1969. Houses built from the year 2000 and on make up the smallest amount of the housing stock at 15.2%.

Most of these homes are single-story ranch-style houses, says Linda Fuller, one of Macon’s top real estate agents. While a home with a little age and character can be charming, older houses are also more prone to problems. For example, most homes built before the 1990s have outdated piping that can cause blockage and breakdowns. Yikes!

If your property won’t be the right fit for an investor, prepare to roll up your sleeves and get the house ready for traditional buyers, who tend to prefer updated homes in Macon.

“[Buyers] like updated kitchens, updated flooring, updated bathrooms, and nice landscaped yards,” Fuller says.

We’ve pulled together the following tips for tackling these key areas of your Macon home before you list.

Install modern kitchen appliances

From a home value perspective, Wilson recommends spending money on upgrades rather than undertaking large renovations. A perfect place to start with your kitchen appliances. A good rule is that if you have an appliance that’s over 15 years old, replace it before you sell.

Lenders typically require that a house has a functional kitchen before approving a loan. But going a little above “functional” can provide the wow factor that buyers are after.

According to HomeLight’s Fall 2019 Top Agent Insights survey, buyers are 50% percent more likely to put an offer on a house that has stainless steel appliances than a house without them.

You don’t need to splurge on the top-of-the-line appliances, but it’s a good idea to get matching appliances when possible. Here are a few kitchen sets available at the Home Depot on Presidential Parkway or the Lowe’s on Macon Tech Drive:

• Samsung Stainless Steel Package $4,502
• Whirlpool Stainless Steel Package $2,888
• Frigidaire EasyCare Stainless Steel Suite $2,896

In addition, kitchen islands are the top kitchen upgrade that today’s buyers want to see, according to HomeLight’s 2021 forecasts survey. Islands are a great place to do some prep work for meals, but they can be more than just a countertop. If you don’t have an island in your kitchen — but you have ample space for one — consider installing one or buying a temporary option, such as a cart. This will help your kitchen feel more up-to-date.

Update your bathroom

Bathrooms, like kitchens, also age quickly. Plumbing fixtures like toilets and showers generally require more upkeep than other areas of the house, Wilson says.

“If you’re going to spend some money on something, it’s better to go ahead and spend the extra money on the more expensive plumbing … making sure that’s still in line with what’s typical for your [neighborhood],” said Wilson.

Here are a few tips for getting your bathroom sale-ready:

Repair any leaks

If you’ve been putting up with a pesky leak for a while or have noticed an increase in your water bill, it’s time to call a plumber. Ricky Heath Plumbing has been in the Macon area for over 30 years and specializes in a variety of services.

Macon is notorious for high water pressure. If you hear banging noises from your pipes and fixtures or toilets are constantly running, you might have a water pressure problem. This can cause damage to your pipes. Consider using a pressure gauge to get a reading on your water pressure. Anything over 80 PSI is cause to take action and get a pressure reducing valve.

Refresh your tile and grout

Nobody likes chipped tiles or peeling linoleum, so give your floor a good look. If you’re considering doing some updates, Middle Georgia Tile has lots of ideas, like using vinyl tiles instead of laminate flooring to bring a modern feel to the bathroom. Vinyl tiles can often mimic the look and feel of hardwood without the hefty price tag.

But even without a full overhaul, you can spruce up your tiling by regrouting. The process is easier than you might think!

Upgrade your fixtures

Buyers love to see more upscale fixtures like a rain showerhead or dual showerhead, according to top agents surveyed by HomeLight. While the latter requires a bit more plumbing, you can find rain showerheads at your local hardware store. Take for instance this Delta wall-mounted fixture. For under $50, you could be catering to a huge portion of prospective buyers!

Paint to avoid a price hit

Painting your house might seem like a hassle, but Wilson explained that it is actually an ample opportunity to keep your home value up to snuff in the city of Macon. “A lot of times what it takes to paint your house is not going to add what it costs to paint the inside of your house to the value,” he says. “But if you don’t paint it, it will take away from the value.”

Neutrals are always a good place to start when it comes to painting your home. Leslie Myrick, local interior designer in Macon recommends Sherwin-Williams “Relaxed Khaki” and “Agreeable Gray” for walls and cabinetry.

4. Take care of brown spots in the lawn (and add some flowers!)

Georgia has a hot and humid climate and sees 45.7 inches of rainfall per year on average. This combination can create an environment fit for fungal diseases that can cause brown spots in your lawn. While brown spots might lead you to believe your lawn needs to be watered, the opposite is true. Avoid overwatering your lawn and if you need to, do so in the morning.

If you notice your lawn having these problems, it’s best to consult a professional landscaper to help. Cutting Edge Landscaping in Macon offers services including chemical application and sod and seed to help your lawn look its best.

There are also plenty of native plants to choose from when planting a garden in Macon, which will help boost your curb appeal. Bachelor Button is a hardy plant that often draws goldfinches to yards. For a pop of color, try chicory, a flower that blooms bright blue.

5. Avoid these common Macon home inspection pitfalls

The median age of a home in Macon is 43 years. If the property you plan to sell reflects the older nature of Macon housing stock,  make sure you don’t have any major repairs on your hands before listing.

Pay attention to your roof

Our expert sources advise that aging roofs tend to be a problem common among Macon homes. It’s especially important to look out for heat and humidity damage. Excessive heat — which Georgia has plenty of — can cause roofing joists and support beams to expand and crack. And humidity can compromise both wooden materials and shingles and eventually lead to mold.

A new roof is one of the most pricey fixes that can come up in a home inspection, so it’s best to get it out of the way if your roof requires repairs or replacement. A roof’s lifespan is somewhat dependent on its type, with asphalt shingles having the shortest lifespan and slate tile having the longest.

Schwartz Residential Roofing in Macon offers a few different asphalt shingle varieties, which can be better protected with roof deck protection and leak barriers.

Look out for wood rot

Georgia’s humidity means homes are vulnerable to wood rot. Keep an eye out for what experts call “red brick dust,” especially in basements and crawl spaces. This dust is an indication that fungal spores are beginning to collect in our house. While it may look innocuous at first, rot can cause immense damage to your home. If you suspect rot may be happening in your house, Lowcountry Foundation Repair offers free quotes in Macon.

Stay on top of it

Fuller suggests getting a home inspection done before listing your Macon home. “It’s always good to have that out of the way… so if you have a home inspection done, you can possibly get them to offer a home warranty,” Fuller said. “I think those are two good things to get done upfront.”

6. Account for the recent price increase in Macon without going over the top

It’s always a good idea to price your home accurately the first time. This could be the difference between getting your money’s worth and missing out on amazing offers!

Luckily, homes in Macon tend to land in a pricing sweet spot. While average sale prices in Macon have appreciated from $141,550 to $179,350 between Feb. 2020-2021 (good for sellers), prices still run considerably lower than in Atlanta (good for buyers). By comparison, in April 2021, median housing prices in Atlanta soared above $300,000. In other words, Macon’s affordability will keep city-bound buyers drawn to the Heart of Georgia — especially as remote work increases post-pandemic.

However, homes may be more or less expensive in certain neighborhoods across Macon. According to Neighborhood Scout, The five highest appreciating Macon neighborhoods since 2000 are City Center, Riverside Drive/College Street, Houston Avenue/Route 80, Upper River Road/Route 18, and Mercer University and College Street, which are all fairly centrally located and close to booming Downtown Macon. If you live in one of these neighborhoods, it’s fair to say your house could value above Macon’s median asking price.

However, keep in mind that the no. 1 perk buyers love about Macon is the affordability: “Right now in Macon, most people are looking for a single-family home. What’s popular right now is $250,000 and under,” says Fuller.

7. Hire a Macon real estate agent who knows the Heart of GA

As a Macon seller, you’ll have plenty of ways to market your home. If you’re located close to one of Macon’s five colleges, it could appeal to faculty. Those closer to the city center will be able to draw on Macon’s unique history and culture that routinely draws thousands of visitors. And a spacious home with a nice amount of land could get sntached by a remote worker looking for a break from the city. At the same time, you’ll likely need assistance navigating the quirks of Macon’s older housing stock as any buyer will want a house that functions well and doesn’t raise any red flags.

For all these reasons and more, having a top agent in your corner will be invaluable to your goal of selling your house fast in Macon and starting your next chapter. A top agent is going to direct you to the right path as to who your target buyers will be, and what they will be looking for in a residence.

Having an agent in your corner who really knows the area can make a massive difference in how fast your house sells, too. In fact, the top 3%of listing agents in Macon sell houses 45 days faster than average agents, according to HomeLight data. That’s a whole month and a half!

Whenever you’re ready, HomeLight is here to help connect you with a top Macon agent who’s got a great track record of happy clients, and who is also experienced in your property type and price point. We wish you a speedy and successful home sale in the Heart of Georgia!

Header Image Source: (Sean Pavone / Shutterstock)