Repairs that are worth doing before selling paint. Painting is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to update the look of your home before putting it up for sale. The exterior is the first thing buyers will see, so you want it to look good. Major repairs l Minor repairs l Pros and Cons l Ways to Finance If your home is in disrepair and needs serious repairs, focus on a few key important projects as long as they're within your budget.
Repairing your roof or even simply adjusting your HVAC system could be a deciding factor for some buyers. Of course, if your home just needs a few cosmetic updates, such as a basic garden design or a fresh coat of interior paint, do those small repairs. You can often do several small repairs to your home on the same day, and they're usually not as expensive as major repairs. They can cost tens of thousands of dollars without a guaranteed return on investment.
However, if you have the cash on hand, they're definitely worth considering despite the potentially steep price. Repairing your home's electrical system can help ensure that you don't miss out on potential deals. Before you list, make sure your home's plumbing is working properly. Many buyers won't be interested if the system needs a lot of repairs.
When buyers see plumbing problems, such as leaking pipes or clogged drains, it's sometimes a sign that more significant problems are lurking elsewhere. This suspicion could lead to additional inspections and extend the sales period or to less money in your pocket if buyers apply for significant repair credits. If you decide to do plumbing repairs, be prepared to shell out at least a few hundred dollars. If you can't afford to replace the entire HVAC unit, make sure it's at least working properly.
Usually, buyers want some type of warranty for an HVAC system, so it's important to make sure it works before closing the house. Now is the time to fix all those annoying things you just lived with. Inside the house, look for things like stained ceilings, missing tiles, broken windows and doors, heavily scratched floors, and other signs of neglect. Outside, look for broken or missing shingles, patio pavers, and cobblestones.
If you have a platform, check for cracks in the floorboards and loose railings. Make a list of everything you see and then decide what things you're going to address. A real estate agent can be very helpful in determining what should and should not be done, since no one expects a home to be 100% perfect. If it were, then you wouldn't put it on the market.
However, there are certain things that, if left untouched, will expose the state of your home. The kitchen always seems to be a top priority, even for shoppers who don't cook. They want to imagine themselves in the kitchen, preparing meals for family or entertaining friends. When a seller lists a home for sale as is, it usually means that they will not make any repairs to the property before the sale or offer any credit to the homebuyer to make improvements once the transaction is complete.
Repairing your home before you sell it can have a big impact on the final price and the speed with which you can attract a buyer. Selling a house with children requires a little extra planning because you'll need activities for them while you're away from home.
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