(Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash)
In the months and weeks leading up to selling your house, you can bump up the asking price and put more cash in your pocket if you make a few smart home repairs. Not sure where to start? Let’s take a look at the most important things to fix up before selling your home.
Fix the Faucets
For starters, take a look at all the faucets in your home, including in the kitchen and bathroom. If you see any leaks, or if the water pressure is a bit suspect, try to fix them or replace them with new models. This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways you can increase the fair market value of your home, and it won’t take too much money out of your pocket.
Check the Lights
Next, examine all the light bulbs in your house. If they flicker or only shine weakly, replace them with energy-efficient bulbs. The better your lights are, the better your home will look when your realtor hosts an open house event!
Touch Up Paint
Examine the walls and ceiling of your home and don’t be afraid to repaint any spotty areas if needed. If you need help, ask one of the associates at a home improvement store to help you match your new paint with the current shade in your home.
Repair Drafty Doors & Windows
Is one room noticeably warmer or colder than the others? The culprit might be a drafty or ill-fitted door or window. You should repair or replace these ASAP, especially before your house goes onto the market.
If need be, apply weatherstripping to drafty doors, and use a caulking gun to close up any leaks or cracks in the windows and doors of your house. This is an important improvement since it not only affects your doors and windows; it also affects the energy bill your home’s future owners can expect. Minimizing wasted energy will help you charge a higher asking price for your property.
Don’t Forget the HVAC System
Your home’s current heating and air-conditioning systems need to be functional if you want to get a good offer on it. Whether that means replacing the water boiler or purchasing a new air-conditioning system, foot the bill and you’ll likely make more on your home sale. Remember that so long as you have one of the best home warranties, you might be able to get that cost covered before you sell your house.
Replace Old Appliances
By the same token, take a long and hard look at all the appliances in your house, like your washer and dryer, dishwasher, etc. If your current appliances are old or clunky, replace them with new, energy-efficient alternatives.
You’d be surprised how much money people are willing to pay if they purchase a home with top-of-the-line, eco-friendly appliances versus outdated and loud appliances!
Replace the Carpet or Broken Tiles
Lastly, consider your carpet and the floors of your kitchen and bathrooms. If the carpet is stained, or if you have several broken tiles ruining the aesthetic, replace them before putting your house on the market. The floors can make a major impact on a prospective homebuyer and help set the stage for the asking price you want to pitch.
Wrap Up
Ultimately, fixing the above things can go a long way toward maximizing your house’s asking price and making sure you have as much money as possible for your next home’s down payment. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to use a little elbow grease; those leaky faucets won’t fix themselves!
