Is Your Home in Tip-Top shape?
Giving yourself and your home the best competitive edge when it's time to sell, means making sure it's in good physical condition. This not only makes your home more attractive and desirable, it also simplifies the negotiation process when the time comes for the buyer's home inspection.
Many home inspectors indicate that roughly 50% of all resale homes on the market have at least one significant defect. Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent major, costly problems from happening. If you've been putting off those repairs, now is the time to make them.
A Home Seller's Check List
Over the years, ASHI has identified a list of common issues that typically appear on a buyer's home inspection report. Early correction of these problems can increase a home's appeal and its selling price. It also sets the stage for a favorable home inspection report for the buyer, and thereby helps to expedite the sale. The following checklist can help you achieve these marketing goals.
1. CHECK THE MAJOR SYSTEMS
A home buyer's primary concern is the condition of the home's basic structure and major mechanical systems. Most buyers do not want to invest a great deal of money correcting problems in such critical areas. A pre-listing home inspection of the visible and accessible home components can reveal most of these problems as well as repairs that may be necessary. The following major items include:
•Roof structure and shingles
•Foundation, basement, and/or crawl space
•HVAC systems
•Electrical system
•Plumbing system
2. MAKE MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS
A number of maintenance improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet they can substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiency, and comfort. A professional home inspector may make helpful maintenance suggestions, such as:
•Trim trees and shrubs which may be causing damage to the house
•Apply new caulking and weather stripping as needed around windows and doors
•Clean gutters of debris and leaves; repair or replace cracked or broken gutters, downspouts, and extensions to ensure proper drainage
•Replace bathroom caulk or grouting where necessary to prevent seepage and improve appearance
•Ventilate closed basements and crawl spaces, or install a dehumidifier, to prevent excessive moisture build-up
•Regrade soil around the foundation, as needed to keep water away from the house
•Replace dirty filters in the HVAC system and have it serviced
•Have chimneys professionally cleaned, and install chimney hoods or caps as needed
3. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
Fixing minor items can go a long way toward improving that important first impression of your home. Here are some typical improvements which are be suggested:
•Repair leaky faucets
•Tighten loose doorknobs
•Replace damaged screens
•Replace broken panes of glass
•Replace burned-out light bulbs
•Secure loose railings
•Repair and coat driveway
•Patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings, then repaint
•Replace wallpaper
4. TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Home inspectors also pay attention to items relating to safety and well being. They can alert you to important safety precautions which home buyers will appreciate. They include:
•Installing smoke detectors on each level and carbon monoxide detectors if applicable
•Installing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) in "wet" areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior outlets
5. MAKE COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS
An attractive, clean, and neat home will appeal to a buyer. In addition to making repairs such as those listed above, remember to:
•Keep the lawn mowed and the house neat
•Clean the exterior walls and trim; repaint if necessary
•Open window shades and curtains to create a bright, inviting atmosphere
•Keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, since buyers scrutinize these areas
6. PREPARE FOR THE BUYER'S INSPECTION
If you have receipts or records from previous work and/or services performed, it would be a good idea to leave them for the buyer and home inspector. They can be used to help answer questions from buyers and home inspectors.
