As you consider selling your home, you’ll find that there is quite a bit for you to think about and take care of. One of the most fundamental elements is repair. Without handling repairs, you may begin to wonder “who is going to buy my house?”
With this train of thought, you may then begin to think about what repairs you should prioritize, especially if you have multiple that may need to be carried out. Well, how about we take you through some of the most important repairs and updates?
The most important repairs to make before selling your home
Electrical System
Repairing any electrical problems is essential if you don’t want to worry about missing out on the best potential offers out there.
In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, just about 50% of home buyers try to steer clear of houses that have known electrical problems.
Unless you are a certified professional yourself, you may want to reach out to a reputable contractor to have any challenges ironed out. Bear in mind that there may be issues you are unaware of, so having a professional look things over and do a comprehensive examination is never a bad idea.
Plumbing
Plumbing, as you know, is one of the essentials in a home. Therefore, it’s usually recommended that homeowners take care of any plumbing issues before putting up a listing. As is the case on the electrical side of things, a plumbing setup that requires a lot of work will likely turn off potential buyers.
For example, if there are leaky pipes or clogged drains, it’s typically a sign of greater problems elsewhere, and those in the housing market are acutely aware of this.
In most cases, plumbing repairs will run a few $100, meaning that making them, as effective as they are, is not the most expensive venture in the world.
Exterior
Before anyone even looks inside to see what the home has to offer, they’re going to be looking at your exterior. Therefore, you want it to be as appealing as possible.
It just so happens that some of the most effective ways to tidy up your exterior are inexpensive or free. For example, you may simply have a lot of junk in the yard that you need to get rid of.
Perhaps you have a lawn that is a little on the overgrown side of things and simply needs to be cut down a bit.
Do the walls look faded? Does the roof need cleaning? Is the fencing in need of repairs? These are also essential elements to handle if you want the most visually pleasing aesthetic possible.
Kitchen
Alongside bathrooms, kitchens are known for having a lot of systems made up of different small components. Therefore, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Additionally, consider that the look and functionality of a kitchen are two important considerations in a buyer’s final decision.
Wooden elements, such as your kitchen cabinets, need to be in as pristine a condition as possible. Therefore, if there are areas of rot, for example, it’s in your best interest to replace them.
Similarly, any mechanisms that are not working as they should need your attention. For example, you may have a door that is partially unhinged. This would be an important repair to make.
What about the appliances that are going to be sold with the home? Are they in good working order? You may want to take care of them if not.
Flooring
While your exterior is the first thing a buyer will notice when looking at the home from the outside, the flooring is one of the first things that will be noticed once someone enters your home.
Of course, there are different types. Your floor could be tiled, carpeted, hardwood, etc. Depending on which material is present, the potential for imperfection varies.
Nevertheless, you can see anything that’s wrong before a potential buyer has to, and the cost to repair it will probably not be too steep.
Wrapping Up
Selling a home is not the easiest thing in the world when there are repairs that may need to take place. Certainly, there are some such as your kitchen, exterior, flooring, and plumbing that can be a bit more detrimental than others if they are not taken care of. Of course, there is always the option of selling your house to an investor. Selling your house to an investor can save you the headache but will probably not get you top dollar. Learn about the pros and cons of selling your home to an investor and choose the best route for your situation.
This article is meant for informational purposes only. We always encourage you to consult with a professional advisor regarding your situation.
