10 Important Fixes/Repairs to Make Before Selling Your Home

When selling your home, having it in top shape will definitely up your chances of getting it sold quickly. It shouldn't just be about making it look beautiful, you have to consider functionality as a major consideration in a buyer's decision. A buyer will most likely have a professional home inspector check for faults in your home, so it's advisable for you to address problems beforehand. 

Paint - Doing this will instantly revamp your home, and it's one of the most cost-effective methods for making your home look appealing to buyers. Light-colored, neutral tones make your rooms looks more spacious. It also gives the home a "blank canvas" look so buyers can better picture how they want it to look once they move in.

Kitchen - The kitchen is one of the most functional spaces in a home. You don't have to stuff it with new appliances to make it look like a dream kitchen, but make sure to address problems regarding usability. Leaking faucets and old sinks must be repaired, and a dishwasher or range that is out of shape should be replaced. Also check hinges and drawers to make sure they open and close smoothly and easily. 

Flooring - No one wants to live in a home with sub-par flooring. Buyers prefer hardwood floors, so if your house has that and it's in good condition, make sure to make it known by removing carpeting. If you don't, there are a number of low-cost options like wood plank tiles or highly upgraded laminate flooring. 

Bathroom - Just like the kitchen, the bathroom is a very functional space in a home. Check for leaky faucets and replace caulking where necessary in areas like the shower, sink, and toilet to help keep moisture out. Also keep in mind that making it clean goes a long way. Make the toilet as bright and shiny as possible and have your grouts steam cleaned. 

Roof - If your roof is in bad shape, it's advisable to address this before you put your house up for sale so that renegotiation and price reduction won't be on the table once a buyer makes an offer. 

Exterior - Your curb is where buyers get a first impression of your home. Include fences in your paint job, patch up cement cracks in sidewalks, and resurface asphalt driveways if necessary. If you have extra cash to spare, add in bright flowers and plants to spruce up your curb appeal. 

Lighting - The lights set the atmosphere of the home and the brighter they are, the more enticing and welcoming the rooms will look. Make sure that lights are working properly both on the exterior and interior of the home. Don't forget to check if your switches work, too. 

Air conditioning and heating systerms - As mentioned previously, your home will most likely be subject to a home inspection, so it's good to get ahead of them and take care of minor repairs. Having this in top shape will definitely give you an advantage over other sellers.

Plumbing - Your house may look good in terms of its aesthetics, but if there's problems in the practical aspects, buyers may have second thoughts. You can tend to minor fixtures yourself, but if you want to be assured that the plumbing is in good condition, hire an expert to inspect and fix any issues. 

Knobs - They may seem trivial but buyers are critical of everything. If something as basic as a door knob is not working, buyers might think that the more important parts of the home are broken as well.