If you’re a homeowner looking to sell your home, it would be wise to look at your property through the eyes of a home inspector to make repairs at your own convenience, rather than the buyer’s. Here is a list of common defects found at a home inspection that if repaired prior to sale, may keep some money in your pocket.
Minor Cosmetic Repairs
You may not bother to repair a faulty cabinet or make paint touch-ups but when your property is for a sale; but little fixes do matter. These quick fixes take little effort but will speak volumes to the inspector who will admire your pride of ownership and will relay that to their client.
Poor Curb Appeal
Repairing or enhancing your home’s landscaping is proven to increase a homes value as much as 12%. That doesn’t mean you have to perform a complete overhaul. Planting small trees, repainting the entrance door, maintaining vegetation, replacing dead grass or adding landscape lighting are simple landscaping projects that will help you land extra dollars in your pocket at closing.
Minor Appliance Damage
The less an inspector has to report as a defect in an inspection report, the better it is for a seller. Go through your through and make sure everything is working properly. Make sure the smoke alarms are on and working, turn on the pilot lights, run that dishwasher you haven’t used in a while and replace burned out bulbs.
Poor Exterior Drainage
The first thing I talk to my clients about at a home inspection is water. It is a homeowner’s worst enemy, and a home’s failure to properly deal with it will land as a red flag in my inspection report. Make sure your gutters are in tact and show no signs of leaking. Look for water marks down the side of your home, and contact a roofing contractor to make a repair if you do.
Ignored Plumbing Leaks
No one wants their new home to have water leaks, and any buyer will insist you fix them prior to close. Starting from the highest floor in your house, run of the water fixtures from a minimum of 2 minutes. Check under the sinks, and work your way towards the foundation of your home, looking for any signs of leaks or water staining.
Delayed Service of Your HVAC Systems
A primary concern of most home buyers are big-ticket items and what major expenses they may encounter soon after they close. Your HVAC system is one of the places where big dollars are spent, so rather than having an inspector find a major issues, have HVAC maintenance performed prior to putting your property on the market. For less than $100, you will learn a lot about your furnace. They will clean the system and have it looking like new for it’s new owner.
