| Before a buyer considers your home seriously, | | | | prior to selling. There is a fine line |
| it must meet his needs in many ways. It must | | | | between remodeling and making repairs. You |
| be a suitable neighborhood, commuting | | | | will need to draw this line as you review |
| distance, size, layout, etc. If most of these | | | | your home. |
| needs are met, the buyer will move toward | | | | |
| making an offer for your home. The purchase | | | | Repair Decisions |
| decision is an emotional and intellectual | | | | |
| response, based on a level of trust in your | | | | Countertops are outdated: If other components |
| home. So, it is logical that in preparing | | | | of the house are up to date, the kitchen may |
| your home for sale your goal should be to | | | | be greatly improved by new, modern |
| enable the buyer to build trust in your home | | | | countertops. Although this is an upgrade, not |
| as quickly as possible. Your first step | | | | a repair, it may be worth doing because the |
| should be to address apparent and hidden | | | | kitchen has a significant impact on the value |
| repair issues. | | | | of your home. Carpet is worn or outdated: |
| | | | Carpet replacement almost always worth doing. |
| Make a Complete List | | | | Sellers often ask if they should offer an |
| | | | allowance for carpet, and let the buyer |
| Keep in mind that potential buyers and their | | | | choose. Do not take this approach. Choose a |
| real estate agents do not have the fond | | | | neutral shade, and make the change yourself. |
| personal memories and familiarity that you | | | | New carpet makes everything in the house look |
| have with your home. They will view it with a | | | | better. |
| critical and discerning eye. Anticipate their | | | | |
| concerns before they ever see your home. You | | | | Wall texture is poor: You may have an |
| may look at the leaky faucet and think of a | | | | outdated texture style or acoustic ceiling. |
| $10 part at Home Depot. To a buyer this is a | | | | In most cases, it does not make sense to |
| $100 plumbing bill. Walk through each room | | | | strip and re-texture the walls. Just repair |
| and consider how buyers are going to react to | | | | any wall damage or minor texture problems. |
| what they see. Make a complete list of all | | | | |
| needed repairs. It will be more efficient to | | | | Walls need paint: This is a must do! Freshly |
| have them all done at once. Use a handyman to | | | | painted walls greatly improve the perception |
| fix the items quickly. If your house is a | | | | of your home. Don't forget the baseboards and |
| fixer-upper, keep in mind that most buyers | | | | trim. Use neutral colors, such as cream, sage |
| will expect to make a profit that is | | | | green, beige/yellow, or gray/blue. Stark |
| substantially above the cost of labor and | | | | white, primary colors and dark colors do not |
| materials. When a house needs obvious | | | | appeal to a wide market, and may be a |
| repairs, buyers will assume that there are | | | | negative factor. |
| more problems than meet the eye. Take care of | | | | |
| repairs before marketing your home. Your | | | | Bathroom caulking is dirty: Put this on the |
| home will sell faster and for a higher price. | | | | must do list. Cracked or stained caulking is |
| Get an Inspection It is a good idea to | | | | a turn-off to buyers. It is easily replaced. |
| have your home inspected by a professional | | | | Make sure the tile grout does not have voids. |
| before putting it on the market. Your may | | | | Drainage or leak problems: Address any |
| discover some issues that will come up later | | | | drainage issues or leaks in plumbing or roof. |
| on the buyer's inspection report. You will be | | | | Use professional help to correct the source |
| able to address the items on your own time, | | | | of the problem and check for mold. Fully |
| without the involvement of a prospective | | | | disclose the repair on your sellers |
| buyer. You do not have to repair every item | | | | disclosure, but avoid giving a personal |
| that is written up. For example, due to | | | | guarantee of the repair. |
| building code changes, you may not meet code | | | | |
| for handrail height, spacing between | | | | Structural and trim repairs: Fix any |
| balusters, stair dimensions, single glazed | | | | sheetrock holes, damaged trim, torn vinyl, |
| windows, and other items. You may choose to | | | | broken windows, rotten wood or rusty |
| leave items such as these as they are. Just | | | | fixtures. Homes sell for more that show a |
| note on the inspection report which items you | | | | reasonable level of maintenance. Overgrown |
| have repaired, and which are left as is. | | | | shrubs and weedy beds: Repairs to the yard |
| Attach the report to your Seller's | | | | are some of the most cost effective changes |
| Disclosure, along with any repair receipts | | | | you can make. Mow and edge the lawn. Add |
| that you have. A professional inspection | | | | inexpensive mulch to flower beds. Cut back |
| answers buyers questions early, reduces | | | | any shrubs that cover windows. Trim tree |
| re-negotiations after contract, and creates a | | | | branches that rub against the roof. Buy new |
| higher level of trust in your home. | | | | doormats. Replace dead plants. Remove any |
| | | | trash. |
| Offer a Service Contract | | | | |
| | | | Check HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems: |
| A home service contract may be offered to the | | | | These systems need routine maintenance. Have |
| buyer for their first year of ownership. For | | | | the heat/AC system serviced and filters |
| a fee of about $350 a third party warranty | | | | changed. Check for plumbing leaks, toilets |
| company will provide repair services for | | | | that rock, corroded water heater valves, and |
| certain systems or components in the house | | | | other plumbing problems. Replace burned out |
| for one year after the sale. These policies | | | | bulbs and electrical fixtures that do not |
| help to reduce the number of disputes about | | | | work. Check your sprinkler system and pool |
| the condition of the property after the sale. | | | | equipment for problems. |
| They protect the interests of both buyer and | | | | |
| seller. | | | | Make Needed Repairs |
| | | | |
| Should You Remodel? Our clients often ask | | | | If you are planning to sell your home, your |
| if they should remodel their house before | | | | first step should be to discover and make |
| marketing. I believe the answer to this is no | | | | needed repairs. By making repairs you will |
| - major improvements do not make sense just | | | | answer buyers questions early, build trust in |
| before selling a home. Studies show that | | | | your home more quickly, and proceed through |
| remodeling projects do not return 100% of | | | | the closing process with fewer surprises. |
| their cost in the sales price. Normally, it | | | | Your home will appeal to more buyers, sell |
| does not pay to replace cabinets, re-do | | | | faster, and bring a higher price. |
| kitchens, upgrade bathrooms, or add space | | | | |