As counterintuitive as it may sound, there are certain things you should refrain from fixing during the selling process.Knowing where to direct your time and money can save you from unnecessary expenses, stress, and potentially even boost your overall returns. In this blog post, we have put together a do-not-fix list in order to make your sale process as simple as possible.
8 Things That Are Not Necessary to Fix to Sell a House
Cosmetic flaws
Real estate agents often advise sellers to focus on the more crucial aspects of their home, such as its condition and functionality, rather than investing in purely cosmetic changes. Cosmetic damage are generally minor issues that only affect the appearance of your home. These could include things like chipped paint or outdated fixtures.
While they may not appeal to potential buyers who are looking for move-in ready homes, repair costs for these minor renovations may be more than what you would gain in terms of increased property value. For example, fresh paint may not add to the potential returns on your property. Instead, consider offering a credit for cosmetic repairs or provide estimates from contractors for jobs such as a fresh coat of paint.
During the inspection report, most buyers will conduct their own assessment of your home’s condition. They might bring along inspectors or experienced agents, who will identify any major repairs, electrical issues, or plumbing concerns. These are the types of major issues that should take priority over cosmetic flaws as they may affect the selling price.
How to sell your house stress-free
Driveway or walkway cracks
Hairline cracks are so common that most buyers won’t be overly concerned about them. Curb appeal tends to be more of an important aspect to buyers, so, trimming areas around walkways and driveways, maintaining flower beds and freshly cut grass will catch buyers eyes much more than small driveway cracks. Furthermore, pouring new concrete can be expensive and time consuming, and it doesn’t provide much of a boost in curb appeal, so it may not be worth the effort. Shop-bought filler compounds can also be used to patch up these kinds of minor cracks, but this is typically only a short-term solution.
Partial room upgrades
Partial room updates can leave a room looking unfinished and incomplete, which is why it’s best to avoid them. Replacing only a few fixtures or cabinets will be noticeable among the rest of the outdated room, creating an unfinished look. It won’t add any value to the property either as buyers will be able to tell that some changes have been made while other parts of the place are out-of-date. Either invest in a full re-model so that it looks perfect, or leave it as-is and let the buyer decide what changes they want to make themselves. It is usually not worth investing money towards a partial upgrade that will provide little for the sales prices at the closing table.
Minor electrical or plumbing issues
Small electrical and plumbing issues can often be overlooked by buyers because of the minor inconvenience they pose. A light switch that doesn’t work or a faucet that drips just a bit before stopping are minor repairs in comparison to larger problems. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to those small electrical and plumbing issues, disclosure is key for any seller looking to provide an honest impression of their property. Ignoring such issues does not serve anyone’s best interest as this could lead to buyer complaints before closing on the house. It’s best to be upfront about these minor issues and allow potential buyers to figure out how best to address them.
Old appliances
In many cases, prospective buyers won’t be too worried about old or non-luxury kitchen items that don’t hold up against fresher models. If price is an issue though, adjusting your sale price accordingly may help sway buyers who may otherwise pass by due to outdated appliances and/or amenities.
This would work particularly well if you point out cost comparisons between competing listings where newer models are featured yet more expensive than your own offer. There is often no need to spend thousands of dollars on new replacements unless the items are broken or are quite an eyesore. The chances are that someone will appreciate the discounted prices of pre-owned appliances and it may be a waste of money to purchase all new appliances.
Windows and window accessories
When it comes to window treatments, sometimes you feel like it’s necessary to purchase new ones or replace existing ones. However, most of the time you can save yourself the time and money by simply removing your blinds or curtains. Rather than undoing all of the work and effort you put into finding new treatments to match the home’s aesthetic, just removing them entirely could bring in more natural light and make the space appear larger.
If the windows are still in good working order they likely don’t need replacement. This means looking closely at the functionality of your windows and checking for any broken window seals. If you find that your windows function properly then you probably don’t need to replace them. A good maintenance session should identify most issues.
Carpet or flooring
When considering whether to replace carpet or flooring, it’s important to think of the end buyer and what they may be looking for. Depending on the aesthetic preferences of the buyer, some may prefer keeping existing carpets while others may be looking for more modern flooring such as wood, laminate, or vinyl. Flooring preferences can vary from buyer to buyer, therefore there is no need to invest in new flooring as it may not be to the taste of prospective buyers. You must consider how much value replacing the carpets would add versus sticking with what already exists. In many cases, it may be more cost effective to hire a steam cleaning service.
Normal wear and tear
Don’t worry about normal wear and tear, it’s a natural part of owning a home and can easily be addressed. When selling your house, it’s important to understand that future homeowners expect some level of wear and tear. They understand that appliances age over time and cabinet hardware is not in perfect condition. Instead of spending money on expensive repairs or major renovations, focus on other aspects that can provide a better return on investment.
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