Home Repairs to Help Your Home Sell

Selling your home can be stressful. It seems like there is a never-ending list of things to do in order to get rid of something you do not want anymore. This is why some people might be tempted to sell their homes “as-is.” The rise of iBuyers has made it easier to sell your home as-is. Like most things in life, though, the best things don’t always come the easiest. Rarely is the path of least resistance the most rewarding. Same is true for selling your home as is or through an iBuyer. People who sell their home as-is or through an iBuyer make less than people who use a realtor. Taking the time and spending money on repairing and staging your home will help you get the most from buyers. The team at Streamline Realty has some tips for the types of home repairs you should do to help you sell your home.

Home Repairs Help You Sell Your Home; Remodels Don’t

Prospective homebuyers are looking for homes that they can make their own. Preparing your house for the market is all about getting it setup in a way that makes it seem like buyers can easily move in and make it the home of their dreams. This is why it is best to avoid elaborate remodels or renovations before putting your house on the market. Now is not the time to add additional rooms or make dramatic changes to the structure of your house. Remodeling your home is a very personal issue. Potential buyers might disagree with the changes you have made. Aside from potentially putting off potential buyers, there is also the cost of elaborate remodels. It costs a lot more money for a dramatic remodel than it is to merely repair your home. This is important because your main goal when selling your home is getting the most profit possible. The cost of a remodel will reduce or eliminate any possible profit from your home sale, even if you are able to demand slightly more. The best approach to preparing your home to sell is merely repairing anything that needs to be fixed and making small upgrades that are within your budget.

Identifying Which Home Repairs You Should Make

Get a Professional Inspection

After you sell your home, your buyer is going to conduct an inspection of their own. If they find anything that was wrong with your property and it was not disclosed, then they will be in a good position to renegotiate their offer. This means that you could be in a position to lose money you thought you were getting. Experienced realtors will insist on inspecting your home before it is put on the market. This will allow you to make sure you pass the buyer’s inspection with flying colors and not have to renegotiate. If your inspector finds anything wrong with the house during the inspection, you should tackle get them repaired. Having a home in good condition that is able to pass inspection will put you in a great position to negotiate with potential buyers.

Trust Your Realtor

Experienced and professional realtors know your market better than anyone. They meet with buyers regularly and know what they are looking for in a house. Do not just assume that every repair or renovation will get you more money upon closing. Only take the time and effort to repair what is necessary and fix up what will get you the most return on your investment. 

Work Within Your Budget

Ironically, selling your home costs money. A lot of this money will come out at the time of closing, so you do not have to spend it up front. However, you will need to spend some money repairing your home and staging your home before putting it on the market if you want to get the best offers. Establish a budget before you jump into making repairs and renovations. Consider how much equity you have in your home, the market value of your home, as well as any closing costs to determine how much you can spend. Spending a lot of money might get you more upon closing, but the goal is not getting the best offer, it is getting the most profit possible. 

Home Repairs That Get You the Best Offers When Selling

Not all home repairs or upgrades are equal. Some will get you the most bang for your buck and others will just drain your time and finances. Above all, trust your realtor and your home inspector. With that being said, here are some of the common repairs and upgrades that go a long way toward selling your home for more than your asking price:

Fixing Up Your Yard

Fixing up your yard helps a lot when selling your home because it boosts your house’s curb appeal. First impressions matter and your front yard is the first thing a prospective buyer sees when they arrive at your house. Make sure your landscaping is simple and attractive. Fix any decks or patios, so that they look like they are new. Put on a fresh coat of paint if your exterior is looking worn. Making your house attractive on the outside will help shape the perceptions that buyers have of your house when they start touring the inside. 

Upgrade Appliances

New appliances help you sell your home for more than your asking price. Low-energy, high-efficiency appliances are an attractive selling point for buyers. They are already spending a lot on purchasing a new home, so the idea of saving on new appliances is attractive. Plus, having state of the art appliances means that they can save on water and power bills. 

Repair Your Flooring

No matter what type of flooring you have, make sure that it is in perfect order. If you have carpet, make sure there are no stains or that there are any worn spots. If it is vinyl, make sure you do not have any tears. If it is hardwood, make sure it is stained and polished. No matter where you are in your house, the flooring is visible. Making sure it is in good condition and attractive, can help your buyers imagine themselves living in your house for a long time. 

Bottomline

Making strategic home repairs before you sell your home can help you get negotiate the best deal possible. If you want to get more than your asking price, avoid the temptation to sell as-is. Making all necessary repairs and cost-effective upgrades will help your house avoid staying on the market for a long time and will get you the most profit possible. If you would like more tips on how to get more than your asking price when selling a home, make sure to get a copy of our free sellers guide.