In the past twenty years of being involved with the residential housing industry, I have seen many situations that have affected the process of selling a home.
Although I operate a painting business, I often do other remedial improvementsthat can improve the overall sale-ability of a home. I have a further background in the construction management of homes from working with builders while employed by a ready-mix concrete supply company.
I should not miss the opportunity here to share, that any qualified trade running a business that does work on your property should in all good conscience be able to notify you of any areas of concern while working on your home.Encouraging them to share observations, can often avoid the surprise and un-timely concern of these matters being listed on a “pre-buy” home inspection.
Sound Conditions Versus Poor Showing
It is my suggestion and personal choice to stick as closely to the facts and realities as is required by your realtor in a the standard disclosure statement. Therefore, if your furnace is twenty years old, you do not describe it as recently replaced. You do howvever, make sure that it has been recently cleaned and serviced, and all surface areas of the sheet metal are clean and free of clutter. Selling is a case where the "book is judged bu it's cover."
Roof Condition:
Much like the furnance, you shouldn’t stray away from the actual facts when describing it, however, you should not let a seven year old roof look like it’s twenty. Dirty gutters, and fascia boards, are easy to clean and or paint and they are part of how buyers view the roof. Moss build up would also cause a buyer to consider that the normal range (depending on product) of life for a shingle roof: 7-20 years, may be the former in your homes case. Roofs, are more expensive to replace than furnaces; so make sure that they both so well- regardless of their age.
Curb Appeal:
Hopefully your realtor has some years of experience and will advise you in preparing your home and trying to maximize the sale price. Ask them ifyou only had say $1000.00 to invest, what should you spend it on?If you are handy with tools and a brush, consider making sure the first impression is positive with the look of the front door. A scratched and peeling, and weathered door not having received maintenance may not be the best cover of the book you want them to be interested in. One liter of paint will cost about $25.00, plus a hour could make the difference in whether you get an offer.
Common Area Shine:
If you remember what you liked most about the home when you bought it, make sure those areas still shine for the next perspective buyer. In some cases, just a little bit of touching up with matched paint on trim, doors, window ledges, and mantel can go a great length in making your home shine. You don’t need to paint the whole place, unless your realtor strongly advises such (wish they did so more often), but if you have smoke damage, or peeling wallpaper- those may be things to consider having done. It not just the small things they see; it is whether they get the over-all impression that you maintained the home in good condition.