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Make Needed Repairs Before Putting Your Home on the Market

Home sellers have one goal—to sell their home as quickly as possible near or at the listing price. A home in move-in condition makes meeting this ideal easier.

Many of today’s prospective homebuyers in our locale have busy lifestyles and are looking for properties that don’t require a lot of work. Homeowners should be proactive by making needed repairs before putting their homes on the market.

Inspect both inside and outside the home. Take inventory of practical and aesthetic repairs. You may want to apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors, and shutters. Clean the carpet and buff and polish wooden floors. Tighten and polish hardware. Repair cracks in sidewalks and driveways, and clean any stains on them. Replace missing or damaged roofing. Clean or re-grout tile floors and counters. Repair dripping faucets and drains or plumbing fixtures that aren’t operating. Clean bathrooms until they sparkle.

Fix sticking doors and replace old locks and doorknobs. Replace burned-out bulbs and broken electrical sockets. Replace cracked windows and torn screens. Repair broken fencing and reseal the deck.

Some experts also recommend hiring a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate the property. Ask your real estate professional for recommendations. A standard report will review the condition of the home’s heating system, central air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation and visible structural components. If the pre-inspection results in a checklist, have a real estate professional look over the report with you to help you prioritize the list of repairs. This is also an ideal time to check for termites or other wood destroying insects to avoid possible unpleasant surprises later.

Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to the home, such as a leak or a structural problem. Let your budget and your real estate professional guide you.

A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make small repairs to your home can go a long way in making sure that your home is presented to potential buyers in its best possible light. They also just might make the sale.

By Richard Lane, Broker In Charge
Prudential Prime Properties

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