Selling your home? Prioritize these repairs

Selling your home? Here are the repairs to prioritize

If you’re thinking of putting your house on the market, you may be wondering whether you should make some repairs or just sell it as-is. While selling as-is can be the best option in some cases, it’s worth noting that making those repairs can get you higher offers and help your home sell more quickly.

But what should you prioritize if you’ve got a limited budget? Read on for our suggestions.

-Roof: Buyers will want to know that your roof is in good condition. If you know you have broken, damaged, or missing shingles, make sure they’re taken care of. Checking your gutters, flashing, ridge caps, and fascia will also make sure you don’t experience any delays when selling your house.

-Plumbing: You wouldn’t want to walk into a home to find plumbing issues. If you find damaged pipes, leaky faucets, runny toilets, or signs of water damage, get them taken care of before you put your house on the market. Buyers will not want to run the risk of mold, water damage, burst pipes, or other plumbing issues.

-Electrical problems: If things are not up to code, that should be your first priority. However, if you’ve got loose wire connections, faulty light bulb sockets, or outlets that don’t work, you’ll want to make sure those are fixed before putting your home on the market.

-Foundation issues: This can be related to poor drainage and water damage. Signs of foundation issues show up as cracks in concrete, bricks, or sheetrock; uneven floors; gaps in your windows and doors; and sinking porches. Not addressing these problems could cause your home to sit on the market for a lot longer than you want, or for you to get lower offers.

-Kitchen: A full kitchen redo is probably not necessary, but there may be some repairs you’ll want to tackle to make your home more attractive to buyers. Prioritize replacing or repairing broken or beat up appliances, damaged cabinets, scuffed paint, leaky faucets, and replace any rusty or damaged fixtures. Kitchens are important rooms in the house, so you’ll want to make sure your kitchen looks as attractive as possible.

-Bathroom: Like the kitchen, a full bathroom remodel is probably not necessary. You will want to make sure you’re touching up any chipped paint or damaged drywall, replacing any damaged or broken shower or floor tiles, and taking care of any broken or damaged bathroom fans. If there is old caulking around any of your plumbing fixtures, you may need to replace it. And the next time you’re in the shower…look up and see what your showerhead looks like. If it’s gross, replace it.

-Refinishing your hardwood: Make sure any scuffed, discolored, scratched, or uneven hardwood floors get refinished so they’re looking great when potential buyers come through.

-Paint touch-ups: Whether interior or exterior, if you notice any faded, chipped, or peeling paint, it’s time for a touch-up. A poor paint job can make buyers believe your home hasn’t been well maintained, even if you are careful about performing regular maintenance. The same goes for any damaged drywall, whether it’s from nail holes or dents.

-Deck, porch, and pool: Make sure your deck, porch, or patio are structurally sound. If you have any water, pest, or termite damage, make sure that is repaired, and check to insure that everything is up to code, if necessary. If you’ve got a pool, check for circulation or filtration issues and get them fixed immediately. You’ll also want to make sure the structure and foundation of the pool are sound before putting your home on the market.

-HVAC units: Buyers want to make sure your HVAC system has been well maintained and is in good condition. If you know your unit will need to be repaired or replaced, get it taken care of so you don’t deter potential buyers.

-Pest control and mold issues: Nobody wants to buy a home with either of these issues, and the common ground is that if, left untreated, they’ll both get worse. If you have mold or pest problems, prioritize getting these issues taken care of before trying to sell your home.

-Doors and windows: Potential buyers will want to feel safe in their new home. If you know you have doors or windows that need repair or replacement, whether it’s a whole new window or new weather stripping or a door knob, make sure it’s done so that everything is functioning properly.

Prioritizing what to repair can be overwhelming, but Hunter Handyman Services is here to help. Give us a call at (815) 780-7884 for more information and a free estimate for any home repair work or small projects you need done.