If you are planning to sell your home this year, it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition. Although the demand for homes remains robust, some buyers want to make sure they are getting the most out of their money. They can still use the home inspection contingency to uncover underlying issues that could justify a lower closing price or force buyers to cancel the transaction.
With this in mind, you need to make sure that you sell your home for the best value and with fewer headaches. It starts with knowing what to fix inside and outside the house before listing. Here are a few of the most critical deal-breakers:
1. Furniture and fixtures
If you are leaving behind cabinets and furniture, make sure they are in pristine good condition. In other words, you might want to apply a new coat to cover up signs of water damage and fading. You should also test the drawers if they slide smoothly and check if there are any broken hinges and handles. In case you have cabinets that are beyond repair, swap them out with new ones. These can also help with staging your home and attracting potential buyers.
2. The roofing
In case you haven’t replaced the roof for a long time, you might want to do so before selling your home. This not only gives the property a fresher appearance from the curb, but also boosts the resale value by as much as $23,526 if the roof is made of metal. However, there are cases when a roof replacement isn’t advised. If the roof has missing or warped shingles, you might as well spend less money by handling these simple fixes by yourself.
3. Walls
If you find holes and cracks on the interior walls, you should patch these up before putting your home up for sale. The best thing about this is that you can do the job yourself. All you need is to fill each cavity with a patching compound. You may also need to get rid of mold using a bleach and water solution. After that, you can then cover the area with a new coat of paint. This results in blemish-free walls that add beauty to the interior.
4. Leaky faucets and pipes
You must inspect your water lines and check for any signs of leaking, especially if your home has been built in the 1970s. While it’s easy to overlook these issues, they won’t be spared from the trained eyes of a home inspector. A buyer might use them as leverage to negotiate a lower price, so you should address any water issues with the help of a local plumbing expert. If you live in Indiana, you can reach out to companies like Mr. Plumber Indianapolis to help you seal leaky pipes and fix faulty faucets.
When it comes to selling your home, your goal is to end up closing a deal at the best possible price. Making sure your home is free from damages can bring in the best returns, so use the list above as you prepare your property for the market.
