The ease you’ll experience selling your house will depend on what needs to be updated. Here are repairs to make before selling your house to improve value.
Houses are sold by the hundreds of thousands every year. To make sure that yours doesn’t get lost among the crowd, you need to go above and beyond to let it shine to potential buyers.
One of the best ways to make your home more appealing is to tackle all of those projects you’ve put off for years and years. Finishing up certain projects will make your home appear welcoming and impressive.
If you’re uncertain about which repairs to make before it comes time to sell your house, then keep reading. We’ll go through the most important projects down below so that your home looks stunning during the next open house.
- Fences
As potential buyers drive up to view your home, one of the very first things they’ll see is the beautiful fencing around the place. You want to make sure that the first impression they get is a good one.
If the fencing has chipped paint, dents, holes, and other flaws, they’re certain to notice. Fix up those fences so they stand strong and proud. Don’t forget to give the grass and hedges a good trim at the same time to complete the effect.
This kind of interaction flavors the entire visit and could be the difference between a triumphant sale and a lost opportunity.
- Paint
In a similar vein, old and chipped paint is another visual cue that sends all the wrong signals to visitors. This includes both the exterior and the interior paint. Giving them all a fresh new coat makes everything look more professional and clean.
Repainting your home is also a great way to distance yourself from it. When people come in to view the house, you won’t feel as attached and offended if they make comments that you don’t like.
Why not try painting different rooms with a variety of colors or textures? Instead of all white walls, go with something vibrant and fun. It makes showing off each room exciting so that your visitors are always interested in what’s around the corner.
- Damaged Flooring
It’s easy to ignore the state of our floors. We don’t pay too much attention to them unless there’s a specific problem, but potential buyers notice these things right away. Damage from pets, worn-out carpet, scuffed linoleum, all of these are problems that an interested buyer will not enjoy seeing.
Make sure that all of the damages are cleaned up and replaced before welcoming people into your home for open houses. No one wants to buy a house that looks run down in any way.
- Electrical Problems
Remember that one light that takes a whole minute to turn on? Or the heating element that always makes that weird sound?
We all have things in our homes that we grow accustomed to, but this is not the time to let those little things slide. People look for details like these when viewing a home and they’re certain to notice all of them. Take note of all these electrical problems and call in a professional electrician to get them fixed.
While you’re at it, check your light bulbs as well. Replace dimmed or old light bulbs with brighter ones so that every room has a bright and welcoming atmosphere. There’s no point in putting effort into your home if no one can see the efforts you’ve gone through.
- Leaky Roof
Even if there are no outward signs of roof damage, you’ll want to take a look at your roof and attic. Missing shingles are easy to overlook and can end up leading to a leaky roof, which no new homeowner wants.
Fixing up those shingles saves from needing to do bigger repairs later down the road and your potential buyer will appreciate the effort.
If you already know that there’s a spot on your roof that tends to leak, it’s time to get that fixed. Don’t forget to repair the water stains created by this leak as well, since it’s a tell-tale sign that there was once something wrong with the home.
- Plumbing
All of those sounds coming from your pipes are things you’ll need a plumber to fix before showing off your house. Faucets that are slow to produce water, drains that clog up, and showerheads that have no pressure are all things people look through when viewing a house.
You don’t want the plumbing to be the reason a good sale doesn’t go through. Call in your local plumber to take a look at all of your pipes and systems to ensure that everything is in peak condition.
- Creaky Windows and Doors
These may seem like minor inconveniences to someone who’s lived in a home for several years, but buyers won’t appreciate the charm of a creaky door. They want something luxurious and beautiful, and creaking things don’t play into that viewpoint.
Go through your entire house and test all of the doors and windows. Give them all a sprucing up with oil on the hinges and clean railings. A quick project like this is easy to do and easy on the budget but makes a huge difference for the overall appearance of your home.
Don’t Forget These Repairs to Make Before Putting up Your House for Sale
Selling a house is no easy feat. By taking a close look at this list of repairs to make before you sell, you’ll be one step up above the competition.
Walk around your home and try to view it as if you were seeing it all for the first time. What are the things that stick out to you the most and which are the things that would make you uncertain about the home? Put all of those on the list and repair them right away!
It may seem counter-intuitive to put so much effort into a home that won’t be yours any longer, but it’s all worth it when you make more money in the sale.
Looking for even more real estate information to get an edge on the market? Then check out the rest of our blog for all the latest news and trends!
