This guide outlines the essential repairs to undertake when selling a house, to maximise the sale and sell your house for top dollar.
If you are preparing for selling a house, you want it to look its best. Never underestimate the power of street appeal. Many potential buyers claim that they make their decision about a home before they walk through the front door. Homebuyers are more sophisticated and educated than ever before and will be able to spot needed repairs in your home.
Every homeowner knows that over time, every house needs small repairs. If your home is in pretty good shape but needs a bit of fine-tuning, you should take care of all needed repairs before listing your home. This includes cosmetic issues like painting and power washing.
If your home is being listed for sale, it’s to your advantage to take care of repairs before you put it on the market unless you are selling for cash to a dealer like Tiffany Property Investors. Buyers that see needed repairs will be less likely to make a fair offer.
Repairs for selling a house
Let’s take a closer look at some of the basic repairs that you should take care of before selling a house.
What are the costs for selling a house?
Loose Shingles
Even if your roof is only a few years old, it can still take a beating from the weather and severe storms. It’s a good idea when you are getting ready for selling a house to do a DIY roof inspection. Take a walk around your property and focus on any potential problems with your roof. If you find any loose shingles, make sure to secure or replace them. If you can’t get up on your roof safely, it’s best to call in a professional roofing contractor.
Squeaky Floors
The potential buyers that view your home will be looking and listening for problems. If you have a loud squeaky floorboard, now is the time to take care of the problem. To fix a squeak in your flooring, you can screw in extra nails from the basement or underside of the floor. For badly damaged boards, you may want to add a shim or replace the board completely.
Secure Railings
If you have stairs in or outside of your home, you will want to make sure that all of your railings are secure. You don’t want potential buyers to fall or feel loose banisters and railings when you are selling a house. In most cases, you will just need to tighten up the screws that are securing your hand railings to the wall to fix the problem.
Sidewalks
A large percentage of slip and fall accidents happen on uneven walkways or sidewalks. If you have a broken walkway or sidewalk, it’s best to get them fixed before you list your home on the market. You can repave or patch damaged areas to ensure the safety of potential buyers. You don’t want anyone to fall when they attend your open house event and end up with a liability lawsuit on your hands when you are selling a house.
Driveway
Your driveway may need a bit of TLC before you list your home for sale. If you have a paved driveway, you should add a sealing compound. Get rid of all stains and discoloration in your driveway. If your driveway is gravel, have a company come in to level out the stones and make it look fresh when you are selling a house. Cracks in your driveway should be repaired before you list your home.
Exterior Paint
Potential buyers will want to see houses that have been carefully maintained. If the exterior of your home is slightly faded, now is the time to freshen it up with a new coat of paint. If your home is sided or brick, you may want to take some time to pressure wash the outside and ensure that it is clean and tidy.
If you want to boost your curb appeal when selling a house, you want your home to stand out from the rest. You could choose to add a bright accent color to your home’s exterior. Simple strategies are to paint your front door a vibrant color, or paint your garage door to match the exterior colors of your home.
Gutters
Your gutter system is an integral part of your roof and can make the difference between a leaky roof and an efficient water removal system. Before you list your house for sale, take the time to clean out your gutters. Potential buyers don’t want to see gutters that are overflowing with leaves and other debris.
When your gutters are clogged, it can result in leaks and other damage to your roof. Do a full inspection of your gutter system to ensure that it is working properly, that it is tightly secured to your home, and that your downspouts are correctly positioned. Your downspouts should be directing water from your roof away from your home’s foundation.
Summary
If you are preparing for selling a house, you need to focus on the little things. Savvy buyers will be looking at your home with a critical eye. There is no need to spend a fortune on larger home repairs. However, it’s a good idea to take care of these home repairs before you put your home on the market.
