Looking To Sell? How To Prioritize Repairs After A Home Inspection

Selling your home can be a challenge, and it’s natural to want the process to run smoothly. Unfortunately, neglected repairs can lead to lower offers and slow everything down. One smart option is to have a home inspection done to identify areas of concern. The home inspection is bound to turn up a range of issues, so you also need to know how to prioritize the work.

Focus on Safety

When a home is being financed on certain first-time buyer programs, that property will be held to higher standards. Loans may be delayed or even denied if there are safety issues lurking in the home. Start by focusing your attention on safety problems like damaged gas lines or a bathroom outlet that should be a GFCI.

Move on to the Structure

Structural issues will scare away far too many buyers because they don’t know what the repairs will cost. They also may look at structural issues and wonder what else might be hiding. If you have rotting wood, damaged shingles or a wet basement, then you’ll want to make those repairs before the house goes on the market.

Mechanical Systems Lead to Lower Bids

You can sell a house with an ancient furnace that doesn’t always work, but you’re going to get a much lower offer. While the cost of a new air conditioners may cost $2,000, you can expect a buyer to offer you about $3,000 less on the asking price. They’ll also look at the rest of the house with a more critical eye to see what other repairs are waiting. A better bet is to repair or even replace the system yourself or with the assistance of places like HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric so that you can have some control over the cost today and avoid the negotiating hassle later.

Routine Repairs Need Attention

You want people to walk into your home and focus on the great features. However, they will not pay any attention to the beautiful, airy kitchen if there’s a broken handle on one cabinet. You want people to look at the bright, attractive living room rather than notice the old stain on the carpet. Ensure that your home makes a great first impression by taking care of those little repairs.

When your home is in top condition, you can put your best foot forward in your open house. Structural issues and mechanical problems can be costly to repair, but you’ll face a higher price if you leave it up to the buyer to deal with it on their own. Protect your home value and fetch a higher asking price by investing in the maintenance and repairs before you list.