Getting a home ready for purchase can be as expensive as making the initial purchase itself. For homeowners with the funding or the financing, making your home more attractive to prospective buyers also requires shrewdness in deciding what to fix before you put your home up for sale.
When preparing a home for sale, homeowners might need to update the home to reflect more contemporary interior and exterior décor. Exchanging outdated appliances with newer versions, adding modern design elements or replacing old garage doors with panel lift doors are just a few of the minor fixes that homeowners might decide to make. On the other hand, the house may very well be so old that there are numerous repairs, making the task seem intimidating but taking inventory of what needs to be done will help you figure out where you should start.
Let’s take a closer look at a few key areas of your home that you should consider fixing before selling.
Table of Contents
Structural Issues
When preparing your home for sale, the first thing you will need to repair is any structural issues. Cracks in the walls or ceiling or soft floors can be an indication of termite infestation or other problems. Hire a professional home inspector to look at the home if you are not sure whether there is something amiss with the home’s foundations or structure.
Functional Issues
Anything issues in terms of electrical and plumbing issues should also be addressed. While much of this will come up during the inspection, it is always better to have it taken care of before the sale of the home. Problems related to leaks, clogs, and bad wiring can hold up the eventual sale of the home if they are uncovered in the inspection and the buyer wants these issues repaired before completing the sale.
Repairing Fixtures in Kitchen And Bathroom
Repairing items in your kitchen and bathroom if the fixtures are worn or broken is a good idea. While gutting your bathroom and kitchen and giving the space a makeover will definitely increase its value, often times, the homeowner only needs to fix damaged fixtures or install new ones to freshen up the space. It’s important to do what you can to update the space, make it functional, and attractive to buyers.
Painting The Interior and Exterior
Giving your home’s interior and exterior a fresh coat of paint can also make it more appealing to potential buyers. When painting the interior, bright and funky colours can be fun, but they also might be distracting. Consider going with neutral colours, so buyers can easily visualise their own décor in the space. Exterior paints should blend in with that of properties in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Landscaping
Homeowners should also make an attempt at landscaping the front and backyards. Trees, shrubs, and bushes that cover windows or are overgrown should be pruned for curb appeal. Removing excess debris from both the front and back yard are also chores that should be completed prior to the sale.
Pest Control Problems
Finally, make sure to have the home checked for pests that can be another detracting feature. When the pest control expert visits the house, make sure they spray the entire home, including attics and basements, even if they are not used regularly. There is nothing that will turn away a potential buyer away more than seeing evidence of pests scurrying about when viewing the home.
What To Fix First?
If having to prioritise which problems to fix first, always fix the structural and functional issues, including spraying for pests, as these problems will be discovered during an inspection. The other touch-ups like painting the interior and exterior of the home, in addition to landscaping are also important but are not as much of a priority as repairing structural and functional issues with the property.
If you have to make tough choices, place repairing/replacing kitchen and bath fixtures on the back burner, as these tasks can be completed by the new owners. With your home looking its best and all the repairs carried out, you can be sure that you will get the price possible for your home and, as a result, will have more money to invest in your next property.
