As they say, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. And when it comes to your home, failing to address maintenance issues and small repairs can seriously impact your ability to sell it a timely manner.
Before putting up that “For Sale” sign, make sure you’ve repaired the following in your home:
- Faded paint
Your exterior walls are one of the first thing prospective buyers will see of your home. Luckily, a quick paint job makes your house look like new in no time. Use a hue that complements your roof, or one that fits the color palette of surrounding houses. Generally speaking, neutral tones like white, cream, or gray work best.
- A leaky roof
A leaky roof can cause all sorts of headaches for buyers, including mold growth, fire hazards, and even risk for electrocution. Since basic home inspection covers the condition of the roof, a potential home buyer can void their purchase contract and get back their earnest money when they receive the inspection report. Hence, have your roof inspected or repaired before putting your house up for sale. If it’s nearing the end of its useful life, it might be a good time to replace it.
- HVAC woes
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of a home’s electric bill. And an outdated or malfunctioning HVAC system can consume even more energy— and cost homeowners more. The condition of your HVAC will come to light when a buyer orders a home inspection. Don’t wait for this to happen. Order an inspection yourself. If the system is outdated but remains safe and functioning, learn about replacement costs and other options that may impact the sale of your home.
- An outdated kitchen
A modern kitchen is one of the most sought after features that home buyers are looking for. Take the time to repair malfunctioning garbage disposal units, leaky faucets, and dripping water pipes. If you have money to spare, install energy-efficient appliances. Replace small-tiled flooring with large square tiles because it has less grout lines and looks up to date. Build a large kitchen island, which has been said to be the “ultimate feature of a modern kitchen.”
- An outdated bathroom
An updated bathroom usually impacts the resale value of your home. Take this opportunity to fix leaks, regrout tiles, achieve a sleeker look by replacing mirrors, towel racks, drawer pulls, faucets, and lighting to new sleeker models.
- Drainage issues
When your house has poor drainage, water pools near your home instead of being channeled away from it. Over time, this pooled water can damage your home’s foundation. Cleaning and patching up your downspouts and gutters often solves the problem. In some cases, though, you may need to hire professionals to grade or slope the land surrounding your home.
- Plumbing problems
If your water bill is exorbitantly high, the problem might be leaky water pipes. Plumbing problems can also cause inconveniences such as low or intermittent water flow. Furthermore, leaky pipes facilitate the growth and proliferation of health-threatening molds.
- Neglected hardwood floors
Nothing adds elegance to a room quite like a hardwood floor. When its sheen fades, however, it can become more of a liability than an asset. Luckily, you can have it refinished for a fairly modest price and restore its former beauty.
Fixing up your house before selling it is all about putting your best foot forward. By focusing on the repairs that matter the most, you can save time and get more bang for your buck.
Our team at Garrett Bell are ready to help clients stage houses for sales in Brevard County, FL. To know more, call (321) 537-6697 or email [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to].
