When getting a home ready to sell, many homeowners can begin to feel a little overwhelmed, just considering the portion of getting their home ready to be seen by potential buyers. It brings up the question of what should be done in their home to help it appeal to as many buyers as possible to earn an offer. Does everything really need to be in perfect condition? Can some things be left undone? How much money should be spent?
How Can Sellers Decide What to Fix In Their House Before Selling?
Make a priority list around impact
When it comes to what to fix, starting with a priority list of what could be done in your home is a great idea. Additionally, listing items in order of importance by how they impact the home is a good idea. When placing what needs to be done on the list, think about what the safety issue is, what is a functionality issue, and lastly, what is a cosmetic issue. Safety issues should always be at the top of the list for attention, because they impact safety. Whereas cosmetic issues should go lower on the list because they merely impact the look of the house. (yet they still pack some importance in how buyers perceive the house.
Safety issues could include
- Foundation or structural problems
- Roofing issues
- Electrical hazards
- Plumbing leaks
- Pest problems
- HVAC issues
- Mold or mildew
- Loose railings
Functional issues could include
- Leaky faucet
- Running toilet
- Slow drain
- Garage door not working
- Torn window screen
- Damaged flooring
- Broken locks
- Sticky doors
- Loose door handles
- Appliances that are not working properly and will stay with the house
Cosmetic issues can include
- Paint that needs a refresh
- Landscaping that needs to be cleaned up
- Updated light fixtures
- Water spots after leaks that have been fixed
- Outdated finish materials
- Cabinet and drawer pulls
- Faucet/water fixtures
- Refreshing, tired, grout, and tiles
Think about cost versus benefit
When it comes to fixing a home, every repair is going to take some cash. Some repairs will take more than others. Sometimes it is tempting to ignore repairs that will take a significant amount more to remedy and get to the things that may not cost as much. However, it is good to determine the impact that repairing will have, and your return on investment in the repair when selling your home. Sometimes those bigger cost repairs will bring you a better return on your investment than a smaller repair. One of these areas, for example, is fixing your roof. A roof is a major costly item and often an area of concern for a buyer. Fixing the roof may cost a lot of money, but a roof that has been recently repaired and inspected and is in top condition is going to bring in a higher offer as compared to leaving the roof the way it is and negotiating a different price to recognize it.
Get the advice of a professional
The best way to determine how to get your home in its best possible condition and ready to be seen by possible buyers is to work with a trusted real estate professional. They know what buyers are looking for because they are continuously working with them in some capacity, whether they are helping their own clients purchase a house or walking through home sale transactions and negotiating with a buying party.
A professional will know how to showcase your home and what spots to focus on, and where to focus your very important budget for getting your home ready to list and sell successfully.