Before you list your home for sale, you must be aware of all its potential problems.
Home condition is the new location when it comes to sellabilityespecially in colder markets.
Buyers start to mentally chip away at your sale price, the more defects they see in a home.
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This report provides a comprehensive view of both major and minor repairs your home might need.
Fixing major problems up front is often the wise financial choice.
Usually those numbers are higher than if the seller addressed them prior to listing.
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Acknowledging major problems is also often the legal choice: Fisher cautions that buyers must disclose any major issues.
What Are Major Problems?
So, what exactly constitutes a major problem?
According to Wiley, any concern tied to health or safety falls squarely into this category.
Plus, those repairs can boost your homes value.
Appraisers take this information into account as well.
Disclose it, state that seller will not address, and we have cash buyers that will still overpay.
Your attorney must be on board and firm on as-is and kick buyer to the curb if they ask.
Whats Considered a Minor Problem?
Just because a problem is considered minor, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
Addressing smaller issues can be super helpful when listing your home.
In general, people are averse to doinghome renovation workand prefer turnkey properties.
Addressing minor items is a way to create a good impression without spending much money.
Here are some problems that real estate experts agree you absolutely have to repair before listing your home.
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1.
Signs of water damage open up a can of worms for a buyer, Wollman-Mahan adds.
Safety is critical, so always testsmoke detectorsand install them according to local code.
Carbon monoxide detectors are encouraged but may not be required.
Leaks should be fixed as soon as possible.
Left unchecked, they will normally cause more damage or cost you more in your water bills.
A licensed plumber should make any plumbing repairs.
Malfunctioning HVAC Systems
You cant live safely in a home without heat or cool air.
Having an HVAC system thats in working order is a must when you sell.
you might also schedule a biannual tuneup to ensure youre never without heat.
Structural issues include leaning walls, sagging roofs, and cracks in the walls, ceilings, and fireplaces.
Make these repairs if possible.
Structural and foundational issues are a tough sell because they imply other issues could be behind the walls.
The ground around your home may shift, causing changes to how the home rests on the foundation.
Roof Damage
A bad roof can lead to major problems for your entire home.
If you’re free to spot these problems before selling, its wise to address them.
A slow roof leak can turn into a huge backlog of moisture in your ceiling or attic.
Trim trees that are hanging over gutters or rooflines to prevent further damage.
You should also address other, more serious lighting issues that have major implications on safety and meeting code.
However, not all agents agree.
In some cases, a buyer may prefer to pick out a replacement.
An allowance or price reduction could be an attractive approach to broken appliances.
