Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
We may only be a few days into the New Year, but an article in realtor.com points out that now is the time to take action if you wish to sell your home during the prime selling season in the spring. Even though you may think it is perfect as it is, it just might benefit from some attention before you list it for sale.
If you have lived in your home for quite a few years then it is likely to be showing at least a few signs of wear and tear. Assessing and repairing the damage now will help a lot when it comes to prospective buyers viewing the property.
The article’s first suggestion is that you get together all the paperwork on various items that are essential for a home. This includes any installation and maintenance records so prospective buyers can easily discover their age and condition and whether they will need to budget for renewals in the near future. Generally, a shake or shingle roof will have a life expectancy of between 15 and 30 years, while gutters can last up to 30 years. The average lifespan of an electric water heater is about 14 years, and central air conditioning will last around 15 years.
Another suggestion is to go through your home, room by room and to look for potential problems that could affect the value of your property. Signs to look for include water damage and wood rot around doors and window frames, as well as water stains on the ceilings. Bulges in the flooring can indicate an uneven foundation or problems with flooding. Plan to fix doors that don’t shut properly or which have broken handles and fix any visible cracks in the walls.
The outside of a home is particularly important but is an area where many sellers forget to look. The outside of a property will form a potential buyer’s first impression of the home and if this is negative then it can be hard to get past, even if the inside is appealing.
A home inspection will cost several hundred dollars but can uncover any points you have missed. You will then have the report to show potential buyers and the peace of mind of knowing you are not in for any nasty surprises later on.
Once you know what could do with updating or repairing, then you can prioritize the work. While it may not be necessary or even desirable to update a home to your personal preferences, making sure the infrastructure is in good shape is a worthwhile investment.
