{"id":28024,"date":"2021-11-24T11:03:47","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T19:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=28024"},"modified":"2021-12-08T12:20:34","modified_gmt":"2021-12-08T20:20:34","slug":"most-important-things-to-fix-when-selling-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/most-important-things-to-fix-when-selling-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the Most Important Things to Fix When Selling a House"},"content":{"rendered":"

An onset of heartburn can creep up for homeowners who\u2019ve decided to sell their house when they realize getting it into pristine condition could cost a fortune. While no potential buyer would balk at a perfectly fixed up home, it\u2019s unlikely to be in your best interest as a seller to completely overhaul the house<\/a> from eaves to foundation. In fact, the National Association of Realtors estimates that most renovation projects only yield a 52% cost recovery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The reality is that some repairs won\u2019t result in a worthwhile return on investment, so it\u2019s imperative to have an experienced real estate agent to guide your approach toward the most important things to fix when selling a house.<\/p>\n

Nevada agent Jason Mattson<\/a>, who has 17 years of experience advising sellers on getting their homes ready for sale, explains that areas of the property that are outright broken and need fixing take precedence over what\u2019s merely old and outdated. However, some items can wind up in a nebulous zone between broken and barely functional, and in those cases, Mattson advises prioritizing things that are the most visible to buyers.<\/p>\n

The good news for sellers is that it\u2019s often the simplest of fixes that can make the most difference in attracting buyers, sealing the deal and netting the biggest profit. Smaller ticket items like a fresh coat of paint, clearing yard debris and basic cleaning measures go a long way in keeping the bids coming versus your home being viewed as a fixer-upper. The following are repairs not to be missed.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Litter Robot \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Remediate water damage<\/h2>\n

Next to a burned down house, Mattson says that water damage tops the list of repair priorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably the number one thing that would scare a buyer away from a property,\u201d says Mattson. \u201cIt may be enough to cause a buyer to cancel for fear of the unknown even if it\u2019s a relatively minor fix.\u201d<\/p>\n

Water is a powerful element that\u2019s both life giving and destructive. While we like it flowing through pipes at the proper pressure, when there\u2019s a minor or major leak, the damage can be considerable, from rot and mold growth to unsightly stains that don\u2019t go away without extensive repairs. It\u2019s also a common issue homeowners face with 37% having had to deal with loss from water damage and 98% of basements having water issues<\/a> at some point.<\/p>\n

Even if no damage has been done, be sure to fix any plumbing leaks that will certainly be a red flag in buyers\u2019 minds.<\/p>\n

Eliminate unpleasant odors<\/h2>\n

Pet parents may love their fur babies but prospective buyers touring your home won\u2019t love the smell of wet dog or cat pee. Cleanliness is a must when putting a home up for sale, says Mattson, and foul odors are a fast way to send buyers running for the door. Odor problems can come from other sources like smoking, cooking fumes, mold and poor ventilation<\/a>. Regardless of the source, making your house smell fresh<\/a> before showings will put buyers in the right mood.<\/p>\n

Put the kitchen in working order<\/h2>\n

The kitchen is another high priority area for making necessary fixes. While buyers won\u2019t realize at first glance that the refrigerator and oven don\u2019t work, leaving broken appliances to be revealed during the inspection period isn\u2019t a good idea, Mattson says. He explains that the kitchen is a central area in the home where people spend considerable time, and so buyers want to see the area look ready for occupancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By fixing broken cabinets, replacing damaged countertops and making sure the dishwasher works, you\u2019ll help interested buyers imagine themselves cooking a holiday meal or entertaining in their new kitchen.<\/p>\n

Get HVAC and major appliances ready for move-in day<\/h2>\n

Trying to sell a home in the dead of winter with a broken furnace simply isn\u2019t going to work out. Similarly, an out-of-order air conditioning unit<\/a> in the summer communicates that the home isn\u2019t move-in ready. While HVAC systems are big ticket items, Mattson advises getting them repaired before putting your house on the market.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if they still do the job of heating or cooling but are older systems, he recommends not footing the replacement bill, as you\u2019re unlikely to recoup the costs in the sale price. The same advice applies to a broken water heater. Most people don\u2019t relish cold showers, but as the saying goes, if it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix \u2014 or in this case \u2014 replace it, unless it\u2019s nonfunctional.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey may not notice on their first tour of the property or when they\u2019re making an offer that the AC and water heater don\u2019t function,\u201d says Mattson. \u201cBut they\u2019re going to find out quickly enough, so if it\u2019s broken I would replace it or fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Source: (Gabriella Clare Marino \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don\u2019t ignore peeling paint<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s nothing quite like a fresh coat of paint, and in the business of home selling, it can do wonders for a home\u2019s appeal without draining your maintenance fund account. Yet, painting is a top area that Mattson says sellers overlook when trying to get their home to sell. Whether it\u2019s peeling paint, clashing colors in the bedrooms or a dingy looking top coat on the house\u2019s exterior, spending just $1,500 to $2,500 can transform the overall look of the property.<\/p>\n

Hiring professional painters who can also patch minor holes or defects in the walls is a simple step to make your house look even more appealing. A coat of paint with the right colors<\/a> covers a lot \u2014 and when it comes to shopping for a home, buyers do judge the book by the cover.<\/p>\n

Fix the floors<\/h2>\n

Flooring can be a big ticket item, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. Old, dirty carpet can be an immediate turn-off for buyers<\/a>, so it\u2019s advisable to either invest in professional carpet cleaning for minor dirt and wear or get the carpeting replaced if it\u2019s in poor condition. For other types of flooring like hardwood, laminate or tile, making inexpensive repairs can help prevent an \u201cick\u201d reaction from buyers without spending hefty amounts on full upgrades.<\/p>\n

Spruce up the bathrooms<\/h2>\n

Scrupulously cleaned and fully functional bathrooms can help eliminate that lived-in look that you want to avoid as a seller. However, full bathroom remodels are pricey<\/a> and should be avoided unless there are major issues. Be sure to fix faulty plumbing, toilets that don\u2019t flush, sinks that don\u2019t drain or shower fixtures that are loose or rusty.<\/p>\n

Little investments like scrubbing grout, replacing a cracked toilet seat and bleaching mildew in the tub, especially in the primary bathroom, are well worth the effort.<\/p>\n

Fine-tune those electrical fixtures<\/h2>\n

Major electrical problems that could cause a structure fire or risk electrocuting occupants warrant emergency repairs. However, common electrical fixes cost little but will help put potential buyers at ease. For example, Mattson says a sagging, dust-covered ceiling fan can be replaced within a half-hour and for as little as $125 and will make the property look up-to-date.<\/p>\n

Similarly, making sure light fixtures are operational and sockets have covers are small details that can have an outsized effect on how buyers see your property.<\/p>\n

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Source: (S. Tsuchiya \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don\u2019t skip the outdoors<\/h2>\n

The exterior of your home is the first thing that buyers will see when they visit. The overall curb appeal is very important and it\u2019s relatively inexpensive to improve. Taking steps like clearing weeds, adding attractive greenery and clearing away junk can reap substantial benefits. Also,\u00a0 it\u2019s a sure bet that buyers will notice broken windows, ripped screens and a front door that looks like it\u2019s been kicked in a few times, and make a beeline for the car.<\/p>\n

Another first impression will come from your garage door. If it\u2019s old and beat up with dents, or doesn\u2019t function properly, it\u2019s a good idea to consider replacing it. It\u2019s estimated that a new garage door can grant an 85% ROI<\/a> due to better security, curb appeal and energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

Although Mattson advises against a major overhaul of the backyard because the new owners may have their own ideas of what they want to do with the space, he says to definitely get rid of trash, debris, weeds and clutter so that buyers can better visualize how they can transform the space.<\/p>\n

\n When a buyer is looking at your home, they\u2019re not jumping onto the roof before they make an offer. Those are things that come up after the fact, after the inspections, and renegotiations come from that point and sometimes come after that, but you\u2019re probably not going to give as much as you would have to replace an entire roof. And if you replace that roof you\u2019re probably not getting that value back out of the property.<\/q>\n
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