Prepare Now to Sell Your Home Later
Market conditions are still living in a state of uncertainty, interest rates are high, and the home selling process remains unknown in many households. As a result, families across the country are setting the goal of selling their home, but aren’t quite ready.
After a discussion with David Worth to answer basic process-focused questions, consider how you can prepare your home now to meet your goal of selling your home in the future, without scrambling at the last minute. One way to do so is by identifying basic repairs for easier selling and maintenance of your home’s current value.
But, where do you start? If you’ve been living in your home for many years, sometimes we become blind to imperfections that need addressing (and we’ve simply just been living with it). Our recommendation is to merely start with a quick walk-through of your home. If you were buying, how would you feel about certain areas within the property? It’s the perfect starting point to make a plan. That being said, Worth Real Estate Company likes to make the home selling process easier. So here’s a quick framework to direct your attention to specific sections within the home that would be most valuable when you’re ready to sell.
Normal Wear and Tear
The door squeaks. The toilet handle needs a little jiggle. Hair is clogging and slowing down the drain. Between the kids and the dog, there somehow seems to be chipped paint in every room. While these may seem like minor flaws and “add character” to a home, frankly, they need fixing. Those flaws may be the deciding factor between your home vs another for a buyer.
A quick tip we suggest to a seller is to forget about the home selling process, but treat your home as if you’re about to end a lease and your landlord will be running an inspection. Are there holes in the walls from decorative pieces you’ve hung? Did you add wallpaper and is it possible to remove it (this also keeps the house as aesthetically neutral as possible so the buyer can visualize their style in the space)? Have you added any dings or dents since moving in?
It may be a bit challenging, but start to open your eyes to these defects as you walk through the home and also in your day-to-day.
Kitchen
Appliances, appliances, appliances. These are big dollar items in your home and can add heavy value in the home selling process if working properly. If the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or microwave are not working, however, that could be a reason for a potential buyer to negotiate the price of your home down. Fix leaks, replace coolants, now’s the time.
Beyond appliances though, a big visual piece is cabinets. It may be time to examine your cabinets, as these are an extremely used piece in your home. Water damage and rot are non-negotiables — if a potential buyer sees this, concerns will be on high. And with one trip to the hardware store and a couple of YouTube videos, you can fix any loose hinges, broken knobs or wonky drawer tracks. If cabinets are painted, take a quick look — is it chipped? Peeled? How severe is the paint damage?
If you don’t have any weekend plans, these projects can be an opportunity to rally the family and work on it together.
Exterior
Watched any show on HGTV? I’m sure you know the term ‘curb appeal’ well. While we don’t expect to completely transform the exterior of our home, it is the first impression potential buyers will have, so it’s worth making some repairs before the home selling process begins. And these projects definitely have a high payoff.
Property owners that have garages must check on the door’s functionality — from opening and closing to remotes and safety compliance. Additionally,
exterior doors should not contain any major dents. If that’s how a walk-through begins for a potential buyer, they may already have some preconceived notions coming in. Sliding door alignment, door handles and weatherstripping should all meet solid standards.
Lastly, and certainly one of the most important pieces to the repair puzzle, is your roof. Whether you have a tile or shingle roof, problem spots should be the first fix. If you suspect signs of a leak from any visible interior water damage, we recommend contacting a professional as soon as possible. We’d be happy to help assist in finding the right professional in the Central Florida area.
While we’ve touched on critical aspects of repairs before the home selling process begins, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC should also be considered. Top real estate agents like David Worth can help prioritize where your focus should lie and keep your investment strong. Hone in on these key areas for improvement, and when you’re emotionally and physically ready to sell, your home will be too.
