Selling a home is a significant milestone, and as a seller, you want to ensure that your property is in the best possible shape to attract potential buyers. One of the common questions homeowners face before putting their house on the market is whether to carry out repairs. In most cases, the answer is yes.
Tackling specific home repairs before selling can increase the value of your property and make it more appealing. However, not all repairs are necessary, and it’s essential to prioritise where to spend your time and money. Below, we’ll discuss some key focus areas to help you determine which repairs are worth doing.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Carrying out home repairs before selling is a wise investment as it can increase your property’s appeal and value. Prioritise exterior improvements like lawn maintenance and fence repairs and address roof and siding issues to make a good first impression. Inside, affordable updates such as painting in neutral colours, kitchen and bathroom repairs, and updating lighting can make a big difference without requiring a full renovation.
Ensuring all functional elements are working is crucial to avoid deterring buyers. A pre-sale home inspection can help identify any major issues that need fixing before listing your home to prevent surprises later. Focusing on key repairs increases your chances of a faster sale and potentially a higher price.
1. Exterior Improvements: The First Impression Counts
The exterior of your home sets the stage for a buyer’s first impression. When a potential buyer pulls up to your property, the state of your yard, the paint job, and the house’s general appearance will play a huge role in their overall perception. Improving the exterior is a cost-effective way to add appeal.
- Lawn Maintenance: A tidy lawn with freshly cut grass, no weeds, and perhaps some colourful flowers can make a significant difference in the appearance of your home. Simple landscaping can create a welcoming atmosphere without costing too much.
- Fence Repairs: Check your fence for any broken or missing boards. Repairing these issues will help your home look well-maintained and secure.
- Roof and Siding Repairs: Buyers will take notice if the roof has moss or if the siding is damaged. These repairs are essential to prevent potential buyers from negotiating a lower price based on these visible flaws.
Exterior Improvement Tips:
- Remove any clutter or trash from the yard and around outbuildings.
- Re-turf areas of the lawn that are overrun with weeds or damaged.
- Fix minor structural problems such as cracks in the driveway or peeling paint on window trims.
2. Painting: An Affordable Makeover
Painting is one of the most affordable and impactful upgrades when preparing your home for sale. A fresh coat of paint can transform your space and give it a cleaner, more modern appearance.
- Neutral Colours: Opt for light, neutral colours like off-white, beige, or grey. These colours appeal to a broader range of buyers, making it easier for them to imagine their belongings in the space.
- Prioritise High-Traffic Areas: You don’t have to repaint every room, but focus on heavily used rooms with dark, outdated colours. A fresh coat of paint in the living room, kitchen, or main bedroom can make a big difference.
- Remove Wallpaper: Old wallpaper can make your home look dated. Removing wallpaper and painting the walls instead will give your home a fresh, updated feel. Old wallpaper puts Many buyers off, so it’s best to eliminate it if possible.
3. Kitchen: A Key Selling Point
The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, and for many buyers, it’s one of the most critical spaces. However, you can invest in a partial kitchen remodel to make it appealing.
- Simple Updates: To give your kitchen a more contemporary feel, replace outdated fixtures like cabinet handles, install modern light fixtures, and update the sink.
- Countertops: If your kitchen’s countertops are worn out, replacing them can be a worthwhile investment. While granite countertops or other solid surface materials can be expensive, they are more affordable than ever and add significant appeal.
- Appliances: Buyers expect the kitchen appliances to be in working order. If your stove, dishwasher, or refrigerator is outdated or broken, replacing them can boost your home’s value and appeal.
Kitchen Repair Checklist:
- Repaint the walls with a light, neutral colour to brighten the space.
- Update outdated appliances to energy-efficient models if necessary.
- Replace old or broken fixtures, such as taps and light fittings, to modernise the kitchen.
4. Bathroom Repairs: Clean And Functional
A clean and functional bathroom is essential when preparing your home for sale. Buyers pay particular attention to bathroom conditions; visible issues can lower your home’s appeal.
- Fix Plumbing: Make sure all plumbing in the bathroom is in good working order. Repair any dripping taps, running toilets, or faulty showerheads.
- Tile and Grout: Check the condition of the tiles and grout. If grout is dirty or tiles are broken, replace or clean them. These small updates can make the bathroom look significantly more inviting.
- Replace Fixtures: Swapping out an old toilet seat or tap with a new one is a low-cost improvement that can make the bathroom feel fresh and modern.
5. Lighting: Brighten Your Space
Good lighting can make even the smallest spaces feel larger and more inviting. Ensuring your home is well-lit is a simple and cost-effective way to increase its appeal.
- Maximise Natural Light: Remove heavy curtains and replace them with sheer ones to let more natural light into the room. Buyers are drawn to homes that feel light and open.
- Update Light Fixtures: Outdated light fixtures can date a room. Swapping them for modern alternatives can instantly elevate the look of a space without a significant investment.
Lighting Tips:
- Install LED bulbs for energy efficiency and brighter lighting.
- Use task lighting to brighten dark corners or areas like the kitchen counter or study.
6. Refinishing Hardwood Floors: A High-Value Investment
Many buyers seek out homes with hardwood floors. If your home has hardwood floors, ensure they are in excellent condition before listing.
- Refinish Floors: If your hardwood floors are scratched or dull, consider refinishing them. This can give your home a polished, well-cared-for look that buyers will appreciate.
- Replace Damaged Flooring: If there are areas where the wood is damaged, it’s worth replacing those sections to improve the overall appearance of the floor.
7. Functionality: Make Sure Everything Works
Beyond cosmetic improvements, it’s essential to ensure everything in the home is in good working order. Buyers will notice if there are functional issues; even small problems can deter them from making an offer.
- Fix Minor Issues: Don’t overlook broken doorknobs, malfunctioning garage doors, or squeaky hinges. These small repairs can prevent a negative impression when buyers view the home.
- Home Inspection Preparation: Most buyers will schedule a home inspection before finalising the sale. Be prepared by addressing any potential issues beforehand, such as fixing leaks, replacing worn-out flooring, or repairing damaged walls.
Pre-Sale Inspection: Prevent Surprises
A pre-sale home inspection can help you identify any issues that could cause delays or renegotiations later in the sale process. Resolving these problems upfront reduces the risk of losing a potential buyer.
- Hire a Professional Inspector: Even if you’re familiar with your home, hiring a professional to conduct an inspection is a good idea. They’ll spot issues you might miss and provide a detailed report on necessary repairs.
- Address Major Problems: If the inspection uncovers significant issues, such as plumbing or roof problems, it’s best to resolve them before listing your property.
Conclusion
Home repairs before selling are a smart investment, but choosing the right projects is important. Focus on essential repairs like exterior improvements, updating paint, refreshing key rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, and ensuring everything is functional.
Making these repairs can boost your home’s kerb appeal, increase its value, and make it more attractive to potential buyers.
Whether considering a pre-sale inspection or planning small upgrades, investing in these key areas will help you sell your home quickly and at the best price.
FAQs On Home Repair
What Are The Steps In Repair?
What are the steps in the repair aspect? Finding the deterioration • Determining the cause • Evaluating the strength of existing building or structure • Evaluating the need for repair • Selecting and implementing a repair procedure.
What Is The Difference Between Repair And Maintenance?
However, the difference between repair and maintenance work is that repairs aim to restore functionality while maintenance looks to preserve functionality. Put another way, repairs are done after downtime to minimise losses, while maintenance is done to prevent unexpected asset downtime.
Is It Worth Fixing Up An Old House?
Fixing up a house can be profitable, but investing a few hundred dollars in repairs and upgrades may not add thousands of dollars of value to your home. The average return on your remodelling investment is 20 percent or 30 percent less than you spend.
What Should I Look For In A Maintenance Inspection?
Check walls, ceilings, and floors for damage, leaks, or other deterioration. Remove hazards and ensure proper door and lock operation. Inspect restroom areas for problems and test alarms.
Is Painting Considered Maintenance Or Repair?
Repainting the exterior of your residential rental property: The cost of painting the exterior of a building is generally a currently deductible repair expense because merely painting isn’t an improvement under the capitalisation rules.
