Making money for home sellers: The Bitar Contracting Manifesto

The goal is to increase the sale price of the home by a minimum of ten percent.

Eighty percent of home sellers in the greater Pittsburgh area would benefit greatly from using Bitar Contracting services prior to listing their home. More specifically, after leaning on our expertise, homeowners will sell their homes for far more money than the cost of the contracting services. I know this to be true because I have over a decade of experience as a real estate investor. I’ve looked at thousands of homes on the market and know that sellers oftentimes neglect even the simplest of updates (like painting a few problem rooms) before listing.

How did Bitar Contracting come to be?

I, along with Dan and Tim (arguably the best contractors in the greater Pittsburgh area), have flipped over 50 homes over the last twelve years and are now building the highest quality homes in Beaver County and soon Butler county. We have built a reputation among realtors in Beaver County for producing the best flips in the area.

Two years ago I started Bitar Painting, as I have become an expert painter over the last decade, and love to paint. I brought Dan and Tim to a job in Cheswick to assist with wallpaper removal and painting. The owner had already moved and wanted to ‘ready’ the house for the market. On the first day of painting Dan and Tim discovered leaky faucets and switches that didn’t work. Dan also commented on the dated light fixtures, and how replacing them would make the space feel more updated. I called the owner and suggested we replace 4 faucets, 5 light fixtures and two switches. The garage was also full of items that he planned to throw away and I told him we could also take care of that as we have a dump trailer. In three days the job was complete and the transformation was substantial. The house sold for $650,000. I firmly believe the house sold for 10% more because of our services.

Since completing that job we have been called countless times by realtors and homeowners in order to prepare more homes for the market. I decided to become a licensed real estate agent since then, and now officially offer these general contracting services to home sellers in the greater Pittsburgh area.

Why does Bitar Contracting only offer contracting services to home sellers?

There are two reasons why we only offer contracting services to home sellers. First, Dan and Tim are busy with the new builds. If Bitar Contracting offered general contracting services in any context, we would be booked for the next two years. Second, we love adding value to homes and helping sellers. We love figuring out the best strategy that makes the seller the most money. Furthermore, we are experts at it.

What are the typical updates Bitar Contracting does in order to increase the sale price of the home?

Nearly every home that goes on the market needs some painting. It delivers an enormous change to the home for a relatively low cost. This is a fact. If sellers fail to address this, then buyers will offer less money for the house.

Buyers want to see minimal imperfections and neutral colors. They want to feel like the home is new and clean. If walls look scuffed with dents and nicks, they will offer less for the home. If buyers walk into rooms with bold, electric colors (think lime green or hot pink), they will offer less for the home. The entire home usually does not need painted, typically only a few problem rooms need painting. However, if the home is painted with a good color, but the walls have scuffs and dents, then preparing the walls and applying one coat to most of the house is makes an enormous difference. Also, it’s incredibly cost effective.

Lighting is an incredibly important aspect to how a space feels. If sellers see dated fixtures, or dinky builders-grade dome lights, where more grand fixtures should be, they will pay less for the house. If the fixtures do not punch enough light for a space, the space will feel dark and dim, and buyers will pay less for the house. We typically assess the fixtures of the home and then replace them in the spaces that need it most. Also, we make sure to add fixtures that punch plenty of light for the space. We also make sure all the wiring is order and all that switches and outlets work properly.

Hardware is a very cost effective way to make kitchens and baths feel more updated. Oftentimes we replace the hardware in bathrooms along with the light fixtures. Occasionally we will replace faucets too. So imagine now a freshly painted kitchen or bathroom with new light fixtures and new hardware. The space feels new and updated. And guess what? Sellers will pay more. The below before and after pictures capture this nicely.

Many homes also need minor repairs that buyers will demand. For example, one home had broken and missing shudders. We replaced them all. Another home had broken and busted shelving in the closets. We replaced the closet shelving. Another home had corrosion all around the kitchen sink. We replaced the sink, faucet, and added a new garbage disposal. Another home had a roof leak. We fixed the leak and the ceiling drywall. If homeowners would fail to address these types of issues, then buyers will offer less for the home.

The Process is easy

If you are wanting to sell your home, and maximize the sale price, you can simply fill out the contact form below and I will reach out to you or you can call 724-622-2165.

Myself, along with Dan, will then visit the house to formulate a strategy. This typically takes one hour. A quote is then emailed over that day, with everything itemized as well as how long the project will take. If the scope of work and price resonate with you, then the project is added to the schedule. No down payment is ever required. Simple!

The stress of home inspections on sellers…

Buyers almost always get home inspections and then typically ask for repairs This oftentimes stresses sellers out because they have to locate able and willing contractors to fix items on the inspection report, or the deal may fall through.

Fortunately, Bitar Contracting can handle any item that comes up on a report. However, due to how busy we are I can only offer this service to my clients that list with their homes with me. We can only handle so much volume between home building and preparing homes for the market.