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By Michael Gruber, President, Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio
If you are ready to put your home on the market, you will likely want to sell it as quickly as possible for the highest possible price. All homes have some degree of general wear and tear and potential home buyers will take notice of how well your house has been maintained.
At the same time, you probably will not have a large budget to spend on your current home, especially if you are trying to save cash for a new home. To help you focus on the areas that will give you the most “bang for your buck” and that will attract buyers, consider the following simple home repairs.
Refresh your home exterior
Evaluating your home’s curb appeal is the best place to start. “Once you put your home on the market, you want your home to stand out and make a good first impression. An exterior refresh doesn’t need to involve a complete landscape redesign. A quick clean-up to remove dead or dying plants can give your home an instant inviting look,” says Debbie Ferrante of RE/MAX Edge Realty.
“Any bare solid ground can be covered with pine straw or mulch from a local hardware store. Once your front yard is tidy, consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the outside of your home. Cracked or chipped siding will be noticed by buyers and should be repaired.”
Inspect your HVAC unit
Home buyers do not want to be faced with a repair bill immediately after purchasing a house. Derek Shanklin of Shanklin Heating & Air Conditioning says, “If you have a central air conditioning unit in your home, make sure it’s working optimally. If cool air isn’t filling the entire home when the unit is turned on or if your unit makes loud noises, it’s a sign your unit needs to be repaired. It is best practice to have the HVAC unit inspected before your home is put on the market so future buyers can rest assured their cooling system will work properly.”
Ensure your flooring is acceptable
Snagged carpet, broken tiles and stains on flooring turn off home buyers. C.R. Morris of Morris Flooring & Design says, “The floors in your home should be in good condition. Dirty carpet should be cleaned or replaced. Make sure any new flooring is consistent with the style and color of existing flooring to avoid a patchwork design. Buyers want to be able to visualize the space they will live in, so a neutral/tan colored carpet works best. If you find wood flooring in good condition under the carpet you are replacing, you might want to consider keeping it in place. Wood flooring is attractive for many home buyers.”
Spruce up your bathrooms
You will be surprised by how much a small repair, such as caulking around the sink or tub, can provide very positive results.
“Taking time to remove the dirt and grime from the bathroom in your home can make a positive impression on buyers,” says Josh Hostetler of Hostetler Family Homes. “The flooring condition is as important as it is in the other areas of your home. Fix any broken or chipped tile and steam clean the floors.”
Investing in these relatively inexpensive repairs to your home before putting it on the market can increase your sale price and help ensure your house will not last long on the market.
The Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio has many members in the home building and remodeling industry that can help you get your existing house ready for sale.
For more information on home buying, selling or new home construction contact the BIA at 330-494-5700 or [email protected].org.
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