The Repairs that Should be made before putting your House on the Market!

By: Kraig Schwartz

The Repairs that Should be made before putting your House on the Market!

Tags: Home Selling Tips

Buyers frequently search for properties that need little work, and no one wants a deal to fall through because the house inspector discovered a problem the buyers simply will walk away from.
Focus on the things that most customers will likely find objectionable. Here are some of the most important things you should consider repairing before selling your home.

Make Sure All The “Big Stuff” Works

If a first-time buyer is your target market, they will worry a lot about the major issues and assume repairs will be more expensive than they actually are.
You should make sure that the following are in good running order unless you're selling your house to a buyer who intends to demolish it or gut it:


Furnace and the air conditioning
 

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in your home should be clean, leak-free, and in good functioning order. Your thermostat should be in working order. If you're unsure, get an HVAC professional to tune up your system and provide you a report on its condition.








Roofing 

Tiles, shingles, and ridge caps that shield your house from water damage should not be cracked or missing from the roof. Any trouble places should be changed right away. In the sealant, cracks, bubbles, and blisters are also common. The underlayment, which is the layer beneath the roof shingles or tiles, should be repaired if it has been damaged. If you see any inside water damage, contact a professional immediately.

Appliances

Make sure the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave are in good working order. Fix any leaks and replace the coolant or freon in your fridge or freezer if necessary. If you’ve got old appliances in an otherwise renovated kitchen, they may be worth replacing. Consider replacing them if they prevent customers from being impressed by a kitchen that would otherwise be a major selling factor. (Your real estate agent can guide you in this decision).

Lighting and electrical

Everything should meet current codes. If you have an older system, such as one that uses a fuse box, you may also want to get it checked or updated, since it may be hard for a new owner to find parts, or the system might be rigged for modern usage in a way that it wasn’t originally meant for, making it prone to problems.

Plumbing

Fixing leaking faucets and clogged toilets is typically quite inexpensive and simple. The overflow drain, which prevents overfilling a bathtub, should be in good working order.
Call your agent before you start any big repairs or renovations, or even consider getting a home inspection done on your home to help guide where you should spend money or at the very least, be able to factor that into the price and be aware of any big issues during negotiations.
 
If you’ve maintained your home throughout the years, you may not face major issues. Routine preventative maintenance helps keep your investment strong.