Once you’re ready to start a new chapter there’s some things to repair before selling your house. When it’s time to sell a property, having a home in good repair is a very important step to make sure you will not only get a better price for it, but also that your house will qualify to be listed and sold to a buyer that will be using a lender. Buyers – and moreover banks! – are very rigorous about a property’s condition, and having some things repaired is a must in order to make sure the sale will be completed.
Below you will see what are the most important things to do if you are looking to sell your house.
Kitchen and Bathrooms
Kitchen and bathrooms are for sure one of the areas that will help – or hinder – a house to sell. Since they have the most mechanical systems, such as plumbing and electrical, they are usually more likely to present damages, and the appearance of appliances and fixtures can determine if a buyer will fall in love or not with the house.
Kitchen appliances: make sure all items are in good working order, and keep in mind that newer, stainless-steel appliances bring more value to the house than dated ones. Fixing any leaks and replacing coolant or freon in the refrigerators are necessary items to make sure the inspection will go well.
Cabinets and countertops: in both kitchen and bathrooms, cabinets should be in good condition, free of water damage or rot. Doors and drawers should open and close smoothly. Fix loose hinges, unclog or replace stuck drawer tracks, and replace broken knobs or handles. Countertops should be in good condition and upgrading them to granite or comparable materials could be a great way to increase your home’s value and enhance your position in the market.
Sink, faucets, bathtubs, and showers: Water features should be leak-free and fully operational. Drains should be free of clogs. Hot and cold options should operate as marked on faucets, and exhaust vent should be fully operational. Broken tiles should be replaced and peeling acrylic bathtubs should be resurfaced or replaced.
Home Interior
Walls and Ceilings: Water damage must be repaired and repainted, and repairing nail holes, minor dings and dents in drywalls, as well as repainting, are some actions that will for sure increase the house evaluation, too.
Flooring: flooring should be in good condition. Replace any chipped/cracked floor tiles, or refinish any scratched wood flooring. Carpets should be cleaned or replaced.
HVAC and Water heater: both items should be in good working order, clean, and free of leaks. The thermostat should operate properly. Since insurance policies usually will not cover system breaks older than 10 or 15 years of age, replacing older systems might be necessary for an inspection approval.
Electrical panel and circuit breakers: one of the 1st items to be inspected, electrical panel and circuit breakers should be 100% up to current codes. Have an electrician check the system and update it if necessary.
Home exterior
Roof: roof shouldn’t have any broken or missing tiles, shingles, or ridge caps. Replace any problem spots immediately to protect the home from water damage. Fix any damage to the underlayment, and if you find any roof leak or major problem, call a professional.
Drainage: drainage should slope away from the foundation. If that’s not the case, having a contractor re-grade the yard or bust out concrete to fix the issue. Downspouts should also eliminate rainwater at the foundation of the house.
Foundation: Foundation, stem wall and retaining wall should be structurally sound. Hire a contractor to give you a professional opinion if you see any indicators of unstable foundation such as sagging floors, horizontal cracks in the foundation, and either horizontal or vertical cracks along any walls, interior or exterior.
