If you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future, you’re probably reluctant to invest money in repairs or even regular maintenance. This may seem perfectly logical, as you’re not sure that the money invested will come back to you, and you don’t want to repair the house for someone else. However, the poor condition of a property will considerably increase the time it takes to sell. These deficiencies will negatively affect the price and, in some cases, may harm any chance of sale. Remember, any problems you encounter will not go away and will only continue to diminish the value of your property. This article will try to show you the importance of maintaining your home to maximize its value.
Reasons why you shouldn’t sell your house “as is
You may be considering selling your property “as is”. This can be a good solution if you can’t afford to invest money in repairs, or if you want to attract buyers who are willing to pay cash for their home. Selling “as is” can be a good solution if the house is likely to be demolished and the land is worth more than the house itself. In any other case, these sales are, in our opinion, a bad decision.
You can expect the following:
Negative buyer perception – whatever the reasons for selling in “as is” condition, buyers will assume there’s something wrong with your home.
Lower offers – you can expect them to assume that you want to sell at any price, so they’ll offer you the minimum price.
Loss of buyer interest – buyers will ignore your home because they don’t want to take the risk.
The importance of home maintenance when selling a property
Regular maintenance and preparation of your home for sale will help you get the best possible value for it. However, you need to take these steps before you put your home on the market. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should invest huge sums of money in major repairs if they aren’t necessary. Changing the kitchen or renovating the bathroom won’t get you a return on your investment, especially if the rest of the house is dilapidated. Changing the windows and their fittings won’t bring in the money invested either. So, what repairs will give you a return on your investment and increase your profits?
Hire an experienced real estate broker to inspect everything in your home and give you a full report on any problems encountered.
Pre-registration home inspection
Before you do anything, a home inspection before you put it up for sale is the smartest move you can make. Hire an experienced real estate broker to inspect everything in your home and give you a full report of any problems encountered. That way, you’ll be able to decide which repairs to make, and you won’t be surprised when the buyer gives you a list of things to fix after his inspection.
De-clutter and deep-clean
Most people know that when preparing a home for sale, de-cluttering and basic cleaning are the bare minimum. Have you accumulated a lot of clutter over the years? You may be reluctant to get rid of them for various reasons, but now that you’re selling your home and moving, they can become a problem. That’s why decluttering before moving is a great idea. Therefore, declutter rooms as potential buyers are likely to be annoyed if they can’t get a clear view of what they’re buying. Remove anything that makes your home look untidy. Get rid of everything on shelves and kitchen counters. Also remove any excess furniture. This will give the impression of an open, uncluttered space. Your home will look move-in ready, attracting potential buyers. Not to mention that it will make moving into a new home much easier.
When selling, all kinds of maintenance work are essential, including upkeep of the exterior appearance.
Exterior appearance
Home maintenance is essential when selling, especially for the exterior. There’s no denying the importance of a home’s exterior. After all, it’s what first attracts potential buyers. If you’re about to sell your home, we suggest you put a little more effort into the aesthetics of the front yard and driveway. Even if you have a used property, these few changes will make it more attractive. Make sure you clean up well, and if possible, call in a professional to do it. Cut the lawn regularly so it doesn’t look neglected. In addition, flowers and other plants will make your garden more lively, which will appeal to a buyer.
Flooring is one thing buyers don’t want to deal with.
Repairing floor defects
Flooring is one thing buyers don’t want to deal with. Most of them want to move in right away, but they can’t move their furniture in until you’ve completed the floor repairs. For first-time buyers, this means delaying the move by a few weeks. This can be a deterrent for some buyers. Make all corrections before selling. Consider installing new carpets if the ones you have are more than seven years old. These investments usually pay for themselves when you sell.
Emergency repairs
Certain problems need to be resolved as quickly as possible when they arise.
Faulty wiring – faulty electrical wiring is a fire hazard and needs to be repaired. If you haven’t had any major problems, you’ll probably only need to make minor repairs, such as missing wire connectors, frayed wires or faulty switches.
Roofing problems – if you notice that your roof is slightly damaged and leaks in the rain, deal with the problem by replacing damaged weatherstripping and shingles. This is a relatively low-cost investment.
Faulty plumbing – Plumbing problems lead to water damage that can cause mold. Fix the problem as soon as possible.
Malfunctioning HVAC system – if your HVAC unit isn’t working efficiently, call a professional to solve the problem. Be sure to change filters regularly.
Conclusion
Maintaining your home for sale is a must. To sell your home, you need to make it presentable and show it off to its best advantage. Do everything you can to make people want to buy it, including any repairs your home needs.