When you’re selling your home, of course you want it to sell for top dollar. There are a lot of factors that go into the value of houses and many are out of your control. However, there are a few repairs that will instantly make your home more appealing.
Slow Drains
A slowly draining sink or shower is often a relatively easy and inexpensive fix but is a big turn off for potential home buyers. There are several at home fixes that you could try, from Drano to using a drain cleaning tool to pull out any hair or other debris. Hiring a plumber is always a safe bet as there are some drains that may have a more significant problem you can’t solve on your own.
Water Stains
Most buyers know what water damage looks like and they know how much it can cost to fix. If you have already fixed the cause of the leakage, consider applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls so that the stains aren’t visible. If you haven’t found the source or fixed the cause of the leak, now is the time to do it. Otherwise, the inspector that the buyers hire will likely find it and you will likely have to negotiate repairs.
Trip Hazards
If there are any floor boards or bits of carpet sticking up, think about fixing these. They will be easily spotted by home buyers and are red flags that there are other issues in the house they aren’t able to see. You may have gotten used to navigating trip hazards but they will stick out like a sore thumb to people that haven’t been in your house before.
Switches and Outlets
Another easy and inexpensive fix is to update all of the face plates on your switches and outlets. This is especially important for any cracked, painted over, or generally unappealing looking face plates. Ideally, they should all match each other to create a cohesive look. You can find them for under a dollar at most home construction stores so it’s not going to put too much of a strain on your budget.
Walls
Before you list your home, your real estate agent will tell you to take down any personal belongings such as family photos. This may leave a lot of holes in your walls so be prepared to patch these. All you have to do is apply a thin layer of spackling with a putty knife and paint over it when it is dry. Take the time to fix any other holes are dings in the wall while you are at it.