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 The purchase decision is an emotional and | | | | Countertops are outdated: If other components of |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 | | | | outdated: Carpet replacement almost always worth |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 Anticipate their concerns before they ever see | | | | Wall texture is poor: You may have an outdated |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