The Top 10 Items You Should Fix Before Selling Your Home

When most homeowners think about selling their home, getting their property into the MLS and to the closing table is usually what comes to mind. However, there are several important steps homeowners should take before they list their home to ensure they’re getting top dollar for it and avoiding hurdles that may come up during the home inspection once it's under contract.

If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, it’s easy to forget about all the little things that come up in terms of maintenance that you may have started to overlook. It’s important to address these items though before listing your home for sale.

While this may feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be! At the Sandy Hartmann Group, we give honest opinions to all our clients when we visit for an in-person home analysis. We’ll walk through the home with you, point out any items that may be an issue for buyers during the inspection period, and even recommend tradesmen and local professionals that can help you get the job done.

Check out our list of the top 10 items you should fix before selling your home for more details:

• Plumbing Problems- Inspectors will find and note any leaking or dripping faucets, exterior hose bibs, water heaters, dripping pipes under your kitchen or bath sinks and more. These are all going to show up on the 4-point inspection, so best to address them in advance.

• Roof Issues- As we’re sure you’ve heard in the news, insurance companies are more strict than ever when it comes to the condition of your roof. A home inspector will be on the lookout for patches, deteriorating chimneys, loose or missing shingles/tiles, and stains on your ceilings indicating past or present leaks. If your shingle roof is over 12 years old or if your tile roof is over 20 years old, it might be best to have a 4-point inspection done in advance of listing your home to see if a new roof will be necessary. If so, we always recommend replacing the roof before the home is listed for sale. The best roofers may not be able to get to your home right away, so address this issue before you’re under contract with a buyer.

• Electrical Systems- If you have an old electrical panel, check the brand or manufacturer before you list. Certain brands (think Zinsko, Challenger, and a few others) are no longer considered insurable and will need to be fully replaced. This is because anyone who wants homeowner’s insurance on their home won’t be able to get it if the inspector identifies your electrical panel as one of the uninsurable brands. Inspectors will also have to note if GFI outlets are present in the kitchen/baths, and if covers are in good condition on exterior outlets. They will also check wiring in your attic. If a buyer can’t get insurance on their new home, they can’t get a mortgage on it and will likely move on to a different home if it’s not replaced. Again, doing a preliminary 4-point inspection (usually at a cost of under $200 in our area) before you list, can ID any of these issues so you can tackle them in advance.

• HVAC Systems- Again, this can be a big one that buyers and home inspectors will look at thoroughly (nobody wants to be left with a faulty HVAC system in the summer heat in Florida). If your HVAC unit is ready for service or hasn’t been serviced in the last year, we highly recommend it. Items like leaks, dirty coils, damaged ductwork, and more will become another mark on the 4-point inspection and can prevent a buyer from getting a homeowner’s policy on their new house. We recommend making sure your thermostat is working properly, replacing old filters and having a licensed HVAC company come out to check the condition of your unit, especially if it’s over 7 years old.

• Kitchen Appliances- Buyers will want to make sure major appliances are in good working order. Stainless appliances are often what buyers are after, but even if you have older appliances in your home, you’ll want to make sure they have been thoroughly cleaned and are in good working order before listing your home for sale.

• Water Heater- Be sure your water heater is heating to the proper temperature, is free of leaks, and that all pipes are insulated. Inspectors will check the temperature of the hot water in your home to make sure it’s not too hot to be safe or running cold too soon after turning on.

• Bathtubs and Showers- Make sure tile surrounds and tubs have been thoroughly cleaned (we can’t emphasize this enough for bathrooms and kitchens) and are free of leaks, mildew and stains. You’ll also want to check the shower heads to make sure there is ample water pressure and that they are in good working order as well.

• Windows and Doors- Make sure all doors and windows in your home are in good working order, opening and closing properly and safely. Windows and doors should be able to be opened easily, locked/unlocked, and should be free of water damage on the window sills and door jams. Buyers will likely have a pest inspection as well, which will check for wood rot around windows and doors too.

• Landscaping- Time after time, great landscaping has helped our sellers nab a great buyer. Be sure to trim off dead palm tree leaves, seed pods and trim overgrown shrubs before listing your home for sale. Mulch goes a long way in weeded flower beds too. If you have an irrigation system, check the sprinkler heads and make sure it’s on the proper timer so your lawn stays green. Always have the lawn mowed and looking great for listing photos, showings, and open houses.

• Fencing- If you have any damaged or broken fencing or gates in your front or backyard, we recommend getting them repaired before you list your home. Buyers with pets, kids, or just folks that value their privacy will want to see that the exterior fencing around the property is in good shape and that gates latch and open/close properly.

Again, if you’d like a detailed list of items a buyer will target when they walk through your home once it’s listed for sale, we always recommend getting a pre-listing inspection so you can tackle projects before your home hits the market. As we’ve said many times before, the very best homes with the least amount of deferred maintenance often sell faster and for the highest prices. Make sure your home is on that list when the time comes for you to sell.

Want a free, in-person home analysis to see what your home is worth and what we recommend? Give us a call at (727) 400-3315 or contact us by clicking HERE to schedule an appointment with our listing specialists now. We’d love to help you get top dollar for your home!

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