The Smallest Repair Could Make The Biggest Difference  

Currently, the number of unsold houses on the market is still quite high, with over 311,000 houses for sale nationwide at the beginning of April. This glut of homes on the market has given potential buyers more power—and the freedom to be picky. Buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready and problem-free.

So if you’re considering selling your home this summer, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure that any needed repairs—no matter how small—are completed before you list your home for sale. Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression.

Just how picky are potential buyers these days? You might be surprised. Buyers are being turned off by minor repair issues such as:

•  Dripping or leaky faucets
•  Squeaking door hinges
•  Cracked floor tiles
•  Non-working light switches
•  Faulty electrical outlets
•  Missing window screens
•  Leaking rain gutters
•  Broken roof shingles

In a potential buyer’s mind, these small problems could mean larger—and possibly undetected—problems. Whether or not larger problems actually do exist is beside the point. For many buyers, perception is indeed reality.

To avoid turning away potential buyers, you should take a very critical and impartial look at your home—both the inside and the outside. If you were considering buying your home, what would you want repaired before you signed the contract? What home repairs stick out to you? Or, thinking as a homeowner, ask yourself what repairs you’d like to have taken care of. As homeowners, we all have a list of small repair jobs, right?

You should also consider having a professional home inspector come in and do a pre-listing home inspection. On average, a pre-listing home inspection will cost you right around $500, but it could be more than worth the extra expense. With a pre-listing home inspection, not only will you know what needs to be fixed before you put it on the market, but you’ll also be able to avoid unwanted surprises during final inspection (paid for by the buyer) before closing.

When it comes right down to it, you should have a mindset of offering a potential buyer everything they want upfront, rather than at the end of the home-selling process. In other words, don’t say to yourself, “I’ll just knock a few dollars off of the selling price instead of getting it fixed.” Unfortunately, that could very well backfire.

Don’t let a $3 faucet washer ruin a $300,000 home sale. ∆