The weather is great, the buyers are out, and you are looking to sell. It seems like all the variables are working in your favor for a quick and easy sale of your home.
But not so fast, homeowner –
If you don’t address a few issues that buyers might notice when they tour your house, you could miss out on some potential offers. There are easy fixes to most items on this list. The problem is these things are often out of sight and likely out of mind when you are preparing your home for sale. Make sure to address these items so that you aren’t scaring off any potential buyers before they have a chance to fall in love with your house.
1. Tricky front doors
The very first impression that a potential buyer has of your property is the front door. Make sure that it is pristine. If your door has a “trick” to getting it open or closed, you have already turned off a lot of your audience. Doors that are hard to close, have frozen or loose hardware, or looked banged up will make buyers thinks that the rest of the home was not well maintained. If it means a fresh coat of paint, new hardware, or even the purchase of the new door is in order, the money will be well spent.
2. Stains on the walls or ceiling
Visible water stains on walls or ceilings should immediately be evaluated to figure out the source of the intrusion. Often, the stain was due to previous intrusion. If so, repair and remove the stain. For active leaks or more extensive damage, it is ideal to repair and eliminate the issue entirely. Sometimes, this will not be feasible for a seller but you can ensure that a potential buyer is aware of any damage in the disclosure agreement prior to the inspection to avoid any last minute surprises.
3. Unpleasant smells
A musty basement or lingering cooking smells are never the first impression that you want to leave with a potential buyer. It’s easy to become accustomed to tyour particular home smells when you are in it every day, but once a visitor enters, those aromas are on full display. Damp basements should be addressed, especially when the fear of mold and mildew are so prevalent in buyers. Strong kitchen odors can be addressed with a thorough cleaning of the appliances and shelving, and if necessary you can do a coat of Kilz paint to block heavy odors.
4. Extension cords and overloaded power strips
Modern homes often come with ample electrical outlets. Buyers expect to find plenty of space to plug in their lamps, televisions, appliances, and to charge their mobile devices. If loaded power strips and long cords are readily apparent to buyers when they come into the home, they will assume that the electrical system is out dated and might need updating to meet their needs.
5. Low water pressure
Low pressure in a kitchen or bathroom can point to underlying issues with piping. Bringing in a licensed plumber can help to determine the age of any pipes and ensure whether or not significant repairs are necessary. Often times, the fix is a simple as a clog or debris in the fixture and can be cleared up in a matter of minutes.
6. Horizontal foundation cracks
While vertical cracks are a common part of settling, horizontal cracks are generally a result of hydrostatic pressure against the foundation. The repair of these can be invasive and expensive. If you find any horizontal cracks, reach out to a few structural engineers for their opinions about the severity of the damage and how to correct it. It is best to get multiple opinions before deciding on a course of action to ensure you are doing the right thing, not just the cheapest.
Waiting for the inspector to unearth issue with your home once you already have a buyer can be a mistake. Ideally, it is best to address any large, underlying issues before you put your home on the market or if that is not feasible, you should disclose those issue to potential buyers before they make an offer. The goal is to take the element of surprise out of the equation so the buyer knows exactly what they are getting.
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