Home Sellers It’s Time for Home Repairs and Improvements
Today’s home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete the home repairs they know must be made, they may also want to hire a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties.
Maintenance and Home Repairs
If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate professional to establish necessities and priorities. Depending on your budget and objectives, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to your property, such as a leaky roof. Ideally, the closer you can get your home to “move-in-ready” status, the more likely you are to attract today’s cautious and discerning buyers.
Among the most common repairs and enhancements yielding immediate buyer appeal include:
- Paint inside or paint outside in neutral colors
- Steam clean or replace carpets
- Polish or replace hardwood floors
- Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms
- Replace light fixtures
- Change light bulbs throughout
- Replace wall switch covers
- Plumbing repairs; Repair leaky faucets
- Fix sticking doors
- Repair/re-stain deck surfaces and rails or install grab rails more convenience
- Repair broken fencing
The Most Bang For Your Buck!
Home sellers wanting to do more should consider the findings of Remodeling magazine’s 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report, released in December 2010. The survey used input from REALTORS in 80 cities to rank home remodeling projects according to those that bring the greatest cost recovered at sale.
Many of the top projects focus on exterior replacements, as replacements are generally less expensive than other types of projects and they add all-important curb appeal – essential for today’s competitive market or any other.
The Top Five projects in the Cost vs. Value Report included:
- Entry door replacement (steel)
- Garage door replacement (four-section door, reuse existing motorized opener)
- Siding replacement (fiber-cement siding)
- Kitchen remodel (minor: new cabinet doors, drawers and hardware, plus new energy-efficient appliances, flooring, counters, sink and faucet)
- Deck addition (wood)
Uninviting Curb Appeal
The exterior of a home offers buyers their first impression of the property–so if the exterior looks outdated or in poor condition, buyers likely will assume the same applies for the inside too. Old fences and sheds can devalue a home. Also, gardens should be weeded and lawns freshly mowed so buyers won’t misjudge a home by its exterior cover.
When the dust clears and projects are complete, be sure that you and your real estate professional document your repairs and enhancements, including costs, and share information about the enhancements with prospective buyers. Today’s homebuyers are going back to basics. They are searching for solid, well-maintained properties that will give them their money’s worth. A home in good condition, and regular repair and maintenance, demonstrates pride of ownership.
The Handyman Can!
Because life gets busy, contact a Minnesota Handyman that can help you with your “Fix It” List if you are getting your home ready to sell! Taking the time to make repairs and enhancements helps ensure your home is presented in its best-possible light, primed for sale. Now it’s time to market to buyers!