Will Remodeling Help Sale Your Home?

To prepare your home for sale, you first need to make essential repairs. You’ll be able to answer prospective buyers’ questions and quickly build trust in your home.

Should you make major improvements before putting your home up for sale? Generally, the answer is no; studies show that remodeling costs cannot be completely recouped in the sale price. It just does not pay to remodel kitchens and bathrooms, tear out walls, or add rooms just before selling. There is a fine line between making repairs and remodeling. Here are some suggestions to help you determine the difference.

If your kitchen countertops are worn or of the wrong color, they may need to be replaced. Undamaged, clean, attractive countertops can have a significant visual impact on buyers. They can transform the impression of the kitchen.

Replacing your worn or outdated carpet is almost always a good thing to do. Instead of giving the buyer an allowance for new carpet, just choose a neutral shade that will go well with anything. New carpet always provokes a good response.

Should you paint your walls? If you have spots that need touching up, repaint the whole wall if you want a winning presentation! Clean walls are critical. Don’t forget baseboards, trim, and molding. Walls should be painted in neutral colors: off-white, cream, sage green, beige/yellow, and gray/blue. Stark white, bright colors, and dark colors may create a negative impression.

If the texture on your walls was poorly done or the ceiling has a heavy popcorn texture, you can try a clean, simple texture under paint to improve the presentation. But if a lot of updating needs to be done, you don’t need to target this area.

Wallpaper that is outdated or torn may need to be removed and the walls painted. However, if the house as a whole needs a lot of updating, the wallpaper should be left as it is.

Crumbling or dirty bathroom or kitchen caulking or grout should be replaced. This is easy to do and worth it, as dirty caulking turns buyers off.

Problems with drainage or leaks in the plumbing or on the roof are must-do repairs. Take care to correct the source of the problem. Have a professional check for mold and fully document all repairs. If you use a contractor, make sure he gives you a warranty to pass on to the buyer. Avoid giving any personal guarantees.

Other items you should repair are holes in sheetrock, torn vinyl, missing trim, rotten wood, broken appliances or equipment, and broken windows. Homes that sell at high prices show good maintenance.

One of the most cost-effective changes you can make is to the landscaping. Trim your shrubs and weed your flowerbeds. If your flowerbeds are bare, plant some flowers and add mulch! Keep your lawn moved and edged. Put some pots of blooming flowers on the porch along with a new doormat.

Buyer’s inspection reports frequently note that the gutters need cleaning and that trees limbs are rubbing against the roof. You can take care of these items before you have a prospective buyer. In particular, be sure no tree limbs are rubbing against the roof.

Heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems should all receive routine maintenance. Before putting your house on the market, it’s a good idea to have the heating and cooling systems serviced and the filters changed. Burned out bulbs and electrical fixtures that do not work should be replaced. Make sure your sprinkler system and pool equipment work well. Check for plumbing leaks in the kitchen and bathroom, loose toilets, and corroded hot water heater valves.

To prepare your home for sale, you first need to make essential repairs. You’ll be able to answer prospective buyers’ questions and quickly build trust in your home. You’ll also be able to get through the closing process with no or few surprises. Your home will be appealing to buyers and sell faster. It will also bring a higher price.

Remodel information and tips

Find a contractor - get bids

Helpful Tips for Remodeling and construction:
Remodeling help
Easy remodel
Enhancing the home
Hardware and more
Remodeling the exterior

Disclaimers

About Our Site