Should Sellers Make Repairs Before the Inspection?
Selling a home can feel stressful. Even with an experienced real estate agent, listing a home for sale is an enormous amount of work. Often in the mix of packing, cleaning, and staging, home repairs can take a backseat. Yet, certain items are best to repair before you put your house on the market.
Sellers can also benefit from scheduling a home inspection. Kenco Home Inspections offers full home inspections for buyers and sellers. We provide a detailed written report with photographs. Use the report as a guide for repairs.
What Repairs Should Sellers Make Before Listing?
The decision for what repairs to make depends on your preferences, budget, and willingness to negotiate with the buyer. When deciding what repairs to make before listing your home for sale, consider the impression you want to make with the buyer.
Essential Repairs
Some repairs you can expect a buyer to request. For these, it may be best to take care of the issues ahead of time. A buyer may walk away from the deal if you don’t agree to make repairs for safety issues or major home systems.
Before buyers see your home, handling the issues will help make a better impression.
Insect or rodent infestations
Mold issues
Elevated radon levels
Electrical defects
Structural or foundation problems
Old or leaking roof
Broken HVAC system
Major water damage
If you discover these issues with your home, make the repairs or price the home in accordance with the problems.
Cosmetic Repairs
Cosmetic repairs are optional before listing your home. If you are in a tighter housing market or want to list your home at the high end of the price range, consider making a few cosmetic enhancements.
Touch up scuffs with paint
Paint exterior trim
Clean windows
Schedule carpet cleaning
Clean appliances, including the refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher
Tighten loose stair rails
Your home will look and smell better if you make a few cosmetic repairs. Also, you’ll enhance curb appeal and create a better first impression.
Maintenance Tasks
Take care of fundamental maintenance issues before you list your home. You don’t want to give the buyer’s home inspector the impression that the property is poorly maintained. Instead, schedule routine service appointments and complete simple tasks.
Schedule HVAC maintenance
Schedule gutter cleaning
Change the HVAC filter
Clean the garbage disposal
Schedule air duct cleaning
The Benefits of a Seller’s Home Inspection
While it may seem like one more item on your to-do list, scheduling a seller’s inspection can save you work later. Knowing the issues with your home allows you to decide what you a willing to repair before the buyer asks.
You’ll know if there are significant issues with your home. You will also discover minor issues that could make a negative impression when the buyer has their inspection.
Work With Your Trusted Home Inspector
Homeowners in Southeast Florida trust Kenco Home Inspections for effective and reliable inspection services. Contact us today to schedule a seller’s inspection.