When selling your home, you might find yourself questioning how much preparation is needed, especially when it comes to repairs. Usually, the primary objective is to sell the property in a timely manner, while also getting the highest price possible for it. For many homeowners, you might wonder which repairs are necessary to help you accomplish these goals, and which repairs could be left for the new homeowners to tackle. Ideally, most buyers would probably appreciate purchasing a home that is in perfect condition. Realistically, it is very uncommon for even a meticulously maintained home to be in truly perfect condition. While there are no hard rules, there are a few guidelines to consider when trying to find a satisfactory middle ground for both seller and buyer.
What does a buyer want? There’s no single answer, as each buyer is looking for something different. Your best chance at attracting a motivated buyer is by making your home as appealing as possible. Begin your repair process by walking through your home and identifying any cosmetic or functional flaws. Cracked tiles, faded paint, a sticky door or window, and even outdated fixtures can often be addressed by a handy homeowner with a few tools and a good tutorial. These minor defects are easy to notice and will stand out to anyone completing a walkthrough of their own. Buyers want to see that you’ve taken good care of your home, and while these issues might be a slight inconvenience or minor cosmetic blemish to you, they could lead a potential buyer to wonder where else corners have been cut when it comes to maintaining your home. Hiring a handyman can get these small projects quickly resolved, especially if you’re trying to sell your home in a short time frame. Fixing these issues will make your home show well on the market.
What about larger projects, such as replacing a roof? These projects are more dependent on the time frame you have available. If your roof is not currently leaking, you might be better off negotiating with the buyer- you may have to compromise on the price, but doing so could help you meet the selling timeline. This can actually mean additional buyers might be interested in your home, as now the property will be in their budget. Always consider both sides of a repair, how it impacts your budget and timeline, as well as how it might apply to buyers.
Most Definitely Must Fix:
- Nonfunctional appliances, such as refrigerators or stoves.
- Broken or Damaged Cabinets
- Sticky Doors or Door Locks
- Leaky Plumbing Fixtures like faucets, sinks, and showers.
- Obvious Nail holes, scuffs, or dings in walls and ceilings.
- Damaged tiles, Torn Carpeting, or heavily scratched hardwood.
- Clean and Service your HVAC.
- Replace burnt-out lightbulbs, repair broken light fixtures
- Ceiling fans
- Broken glass in windows
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Loose handrails and broken/loose steps
Selling your home is a big project and often sets up the success for the next home purchase. When maximizing value and getting it sold in a timely manner, it is important to present a home that looks its best and is ready for the investigative eyes of willing buyers. Don’t let a few cosmetic defects keep you from achieving your real estate goals.