Making Necessary Repairs Before Listing Your Home

Taking care of repairs before putting your house on the market can help you attract more buyers, get top dollar for your home, and avoid lengthy and costly negotiations over needed fixes.

Roughly 43% of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® agents say that a wow-worthy exterior makes the best first impression. It follows, then, that your home’s interior should also be “picture perfect” before listing.

If you’re getting your home ready to sell, consider first repairing anything that takes away from your property showing in the best possible light.

Wondering where to start? Repairs are easier to take on when you begin with a clean and decluttered home, so give your house a good tidying up or call a professional to do the job. Then, give away, sell, or throw away anything you don’t want or need. Next, it’s time to address repairs.

Be proactive in assessing your home for potential issues that might turn off buyers. And, fix problems before photographing your property. Remember, even if buyers don’t notice a particular cosmetic (or larger) concern, a home inspector likely will. So, ask your agent for advice on taking care of any flaws that might hinder the sale of your house.

Buyers typically don’t want to deal with repairs before or immediately upon moving in. You can attract buyers to your property by presenting a well-maintained home in move-in condition.

Why Tend to Repairs Before Listing

Below are some reasons to take care of repairs before putting your home on the market.

• Increased appeal – Homes in good condition are more attractive to homebuyers, especially first-time buyers who might not want to take on costly (or lengthy) repairs before moving in.
• Minimizes negotiation points – Address repairs before listing to reduce the chance of buyers negotiating for price reductions or credits.
• Quicker sale – Move-in ready homes usually sell for more than those where the buyer needs to make repairs.

Top Overlooked Repairs That Hinder a Sale

Jessica Poulos, broker and owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® Northwest Home Team says two categories of repairs could hinder a home sale.

• Deferred maintenance – Letting maintenance and repairs slide on your home’s major systems and structural components will likely turn buyers away. Ensure you’re on top of roof cleaning and repair, gutter cleaning, plumbing leaks, HVAC service, significant cracks in walls and ceilings, and exterior painting.
• Unkept or dirty areas – Buyers notice when a home isn’t clean and tidy. It doesn’t take much effort to fix and spruce up dirty windows, flooring that needs cleaning or repair, broken or old cabinetry, and damaged kitchen and bathroom tile.

Types of Repairs to Consider Before Listing

Do a full home walk-through before listing to document the areas that might cause buyers to pause (ask your agent to help you uncover what might break a sale for a buyer). Repairs worth considering before putting your home on the market include:

• Foundation cracks – Fix small and large cracks in your home’s foundation. If buyers don’t notice these repair issues, be assured that their home inspector will.
• Roof issues – Take care of missing or damaged shingles and tiles, torn flashing, and roof leaks.
• Electrical problems – Fix broken outlets, switches, and fixtures (and modernize them while you’re at it).
• Flooring issues – Repair cracked tiles and refinish scratched floors. Fix loose floor tiles and floorboards.
• HVAC problems – Ensure your air-conditioner and heater function properly (HVAC systems needing repair are especially noticeable during extremely cold or hot months).
• Plumbing leaks – Repair leaky faucets, toilets, and pipes as well as any areas that may have water damage due to leaks.
• Cosmetic concerns – Touch up paint on walls and cabinets, fix broken cabinet hardware, and repair cracks in walls and ceilings.

Tips for Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

Benjamin Smail, agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® The Good Life Group in Omaha, Nebraska, shares three important tips for getting your home ready to sell:

• Touch up paint on walls and trim with the correct color and sheen. For just $100 in paint and a day’s work completing touch ups, you can shift a buyer’s thinking. Eliminating the perception that a house needs a full paint makeover prevents buyers from deducting $5,000 to $15,000 of value from a home.
• An unkempt home can cost thousands of dollars in buyer enthusiasm. A buyer doesn’t feel warm and fuzzy purchasing a home from a seller who doesn’t care enough to clean it well and prepare it for sale.
• Every room should have the right number of possessions, positioned in the right places. Too many items are overwhelming. Too sparsely decorated and the room feels abandoned and sad. As a last resort, a completely empty space is ok if clean and well kept.

Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.

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