Unless they are buying a new construction home, I always advise my buyers to write their purchase agreements to be contingent on a home inspection. A home inspection is a relatively small investment (about $250 – $300) for a huge chunk of peace of mind! Why not make sure your house is ready for that inspection before you list it?
Here’s a list of the big stuff in your home that should be checked before you put it on the market, like the furnace, air conditioner, roof, plumbing, etc. Of course, you can try to anticipate what will come up in the inspection, but it’s better to prevent surprises — especially when it comes to big-ticket items.
Mechanical Systems
Make sure all of your home’s major mechanical systems are in perfect working condition. This means the heating, air-conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. Not only will it impress buyers, but also if they move in and find out that the air conditioning doesn’t actually work, you can expect to hear from them and possibly their lawyer.
Fixtures and Appliances
Replace fixtures that are irreparable or just plain unsightly. A 40-year-old toilet rarely looks good. Replace it. If the sink is so old that it never looks clean, despite hours of scrubbing, get a new one. If your kitchen stove is on its last legs, replace it. New fixtures and appliances don’t have to be top-of-the-line. But they should be decent quality and neutral in style.
Roof, Basement, Attic
Pay close attention to any needed repairs to your roof, basement, or attic. Smart buyers will look to those places for telltale signs of trouble. Since mold is always a possibility here in the Red River Valley, be doubly sure that your bathrooms and basement are mildew and mold-free. Check that your basement isn’t wet or damp. Remember that getting rid of basement moisture may be as simple as fixing a rain gutter or downspout.
Front Entry
Make the front entry inviting. Consider getting a new doorknob or knocker for the front door. Buy a new doormat. If it won’t make the porch or front steps seem too small, set a small potted evergreen or well-arranged large pot of perennials near the front door.
Painting
Paint is cheap and the results are magnificent. There’s nothing like a freshly painted room. Maybe you don’t need new kitchen cabinets so much as painting your dinged-up olive green ones a nice, neutral off-white. Ditto for the walls anywhere in the house. Especially if you have any dark walls in your home, repaint them white. You may think a Bordeaux-colored living room wall is dramatic, but many people find dark colors dreary. Keep the color scheme light and neutral.
The Small Stuff
Repair all the little irritations you’ve lived with for years, including squeaky doors, windows that don’t open, drawers that don’t work smoothly, cracked tiles, missing roof shingles, torn window screens, dripping faucets, sticky latches, and broken porch stairs. Any repairs having to do with safety, such as wobbly deck railings or stairs will be flagged by a building inspector anyway. Make the repairs first and you’ll save yourself time later.
