Repairs to Make Before Selling Your Home

Unless we are like Joanna Gaines, the idea of repairing and preparing our homes before we put them on sale might seem daunting. All those minor repairs we were happy to put in the backseat might seem like glaring issues to buyers once our homes are on the listing.

So, what do we do?

One option is to hope we luck into buyers who will see our homes not as they are now but for what they could be. Another option is to set aside some cash and do repairs to help get our homes ready for sale.

Many real estate agents in Dallas, TX, agree that the latter might look like a hassle. However, it may translate into serious money!

Why Fix a Home Before Selling It?

Fixing up our homes may mean spending less time in the market and selling the properties for more money. Sometimes, everything we have to fix doesn’t take much of our money or time. Considering all those factors, fixing up our homes is a no-brainer.

Repairs We Should Make

Keeping our homes in good condition pays a significant dividend when we decide to put them on sale. Home buyers look for properties that need a few fixes, and the last thing we want is for the deal to go wrong because a home inspector found issues that buyers can’t stomach. Addressing exterior maintenance, such as building facade repair and cleaning, can greatly improve curb appeal and prevent structural concerns from turning off potential buyers.

Prevention can spare us the pain of seeing potential buyers walking away. This is why it is important to do the following repairs so we can prevent that:

1. Fix Electrical & Lighting Problems

Generally, we don’t recommend entirely rerouting electrical panels. However, you can fix any electrical issues that are not up to code so you can do away with safety hazards and avoid catastrophes like house fires. In addition, fixing these issues can help to take care of the following things:

• Fixing faulty light bulb sockets and power outlets
• Tightening up all loose wire connections
• Replacing every missing wire nut

2. Have Old Boilers Replaced

Homes with new boilers give a potential home buyer one less thing to be concerned about. We already know that boilers are expensive purchases. Therefore, if yours look like they are on their last legs, even capable buyers would not want to consider the replacement costs. Modern boilers might raise the home’s value, making the investment worthwhile.

3. Repair Damaged Flooring

Tired linoleum, outdated carpeting, and scratched wood flooring can make a home sad. The last thing that home buyers want is to deal with fixing damaged flooring or replacing carpet.

If your house already has hardwood flooring, refinishing can do a great job. You will spend around $3,500 on the whole project.

Alternatively, you may swap your old flooring for a new hardwood floor. For this, you will spend around $5,600.

In conclusion, it is a great idea to consult a professional realtor or appraiser to help you assess specific situations. They will guide you on what improvements or repairs are more likely to guarantee you the best ROI and ensure you make the right decisions about whether or not to fix your home before you put it on a listing.

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