When it comes time to sell your home, you may believe that there are a lot of updates and changes that need to take place before listing it on the market.
It’s not uncommon to be under the impression that your house will sell faster and at a higher price if it’s been completely remodeled, but the truth is, that doesn’t always happen. There are many cases where you may spend money on these pre-sale repairs but do not see any return on investment.
Here are five repairs you can skip over before listing your home for sale.
Cosmetic Issues
After you’ve lived in a home for a while, there are going to be minor cosmetic flaws and issues. From minor cracks in the bathroom tile to scuff marks on the baseboards or stains on the kitchen counter, unless a home is newly constructed, homebuyers know it’s not going to be in pristine condition. While you may believe that getting the tile replaced or switching out the countertops will bring more money, the truth is, often the rooms only add value to the home if they’re completely remodeled. Unless you plan to gut the rooms that have these minor flaws, you’re better off just lowering your price a little than spending money fixing them.
Cracks in the Driveway
It’s no secret that you need to have great curb appeal when it comes to selling your home. The front of your house is the first thing a potential buyer sees, so you want it to look its best. What’s important to remember is good curb appeal doesn’t necessarily mean perfection. A minor crack in the driveway or on the walkway won’t turn a buyer away. Instead of spending money on concrete to fix these cracks, put that money toward updated flowers or bringing in a professional lawn crew. The only exception would be if you previously had foundation issues and the cracks are extremely noticeable and would lead the buyers to believe there are ongoing issues.
Code Issues that were Grandfathered-In
Over time, the city is going to make changes to building codes; it’s something that happens naturally with new technology and safety knowledge. A home that was built in the 90s isn’t going to meet the same standards as homes built in the last five years. While the home inspector is required to provide a list of problems in the home that are not up to code, you are not required to spend thousands and address every issue. If the home has good bones and doesn’t pose a health threat, the new homeowner can make changes as they see fit for their family.
Items that Can be Removed
If there are young children or pets in the home, it’s not uncommon to see chewed-up blinds or marker stains on the curtains. While replacements can help make a room look nice, more often than not, a new homeowner will want to change them to their own style. Instead of spending money on replacing these items, simply remove them. New window treatments can slowly add up, and you probably won’t be able to take them with you when you leave.
Outdated Appliances
No one wants to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an appliance that they won’t ever get to use, so there’s no need to replace that outdated stove in the kitchen. As long as the appliances are still in working condition, allow the buyer to select the new appliances for the home. If the appliance doesn’t work and needs to be replaced, consider saving yourself some money by buying a used piece.
No Home is Perfect
The longer you live in a home, the more you’ll start to notice its little flaws and imperfections. While it’s easy to think that making updates or doing a full remodel is the way to get more money for the house, that isn’t always true. If you’re considering making some changes to your home before listing it for sale, be sure to give me a call so we can discuss the best upgrades to make so you don’t spend money you won’t get back at closing.