If you’re considering selling your home, you’ve likely heard that you’ll need to take care of repairs and renovations before listing, and you might be worried about any potential costs especially if you’ve lived in the house you’re trying to sell for a while. It may be overwhelming, especially if you have no idea where to start.
Here’s a checklist of 15 items you should assess prior to listing:
1. HVAC
An HVAC unit can be an expensive thing to replace, but any issues you’re having may be fixable. Hire an HVAC technician to carefully assess your system and perform any maintenance that may be required.
2. Electricity
Electrical problems can be more than just a convenience issue, it can be a huge safety concern as well. Faulty wiring can lead to house fires, so you’ll want to ensure that there are no potential issues that may not be visible to the naked eye.
3. Appliances
Kitchen appliances should be in fully working order. If they’re a bit outdated, it may be necessary to fully replace them with more current models.
4. Cabinets
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are often neglected and left out of routine cleaning, so you’ll likely need to deep clean them to prepare for sale. This may be all you need to do, but you should also check any under-the-sink cabinets you may have and ensure they’re free from any water damage.
5. Plumbing
If you have plumbing problems in your home, you may have water damage which could lead to larger structural issues. Check for rusty or otherwise faulty pipes, and look out for any damage including mold. It’s also a good idea to check how old your plumbing is, and check your water heater as well.
6. Sinks and Faucets
Your sinks should be draining properly. If they’re not, this may be something you start to address yourself. There are many different options for drain cleaners and clog removers available at most stores, and these usually help take care of the majority of issues. If not, you may need to hire a professional to make sure everything is running smoothly. They should also be easy to use – make sure the hot and cold functions are clearly labeled.
7. Bathtubs
If you have a bathtub in your house, it’s important to make sure it’s clean and free of water damage including mold. If the paint coating on your bathtub is starting to peel, it’s important to refinish it. In general, your bathroom should be extremely clean.
8. Walls
One of the easiest things and most important to do when preparing your house for sale is to make sure your walls look nice. Make sure there are no holes in them, and give them a fresh coat of paint if necessary. If you painted your walls bright or unusual colors, it might be a good idea to consider a more neutral shade.
9. Floors
If your floors are not clean and well maintained, that’s something that will stand out to potential buyers. Carpeting that’s older than five or six years should be replaced. If you have other flooring materials you may be able to simply polish it or replace certain tiles or boards as needed. If you have pets, this is something you’ll need to be extra cognizant of as well.
10. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Many people are aware of the importance of smoke detectors, but carbon monoxide detectors are extremely important as well! Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and flavorless gas that is incredibly toxic and causes injury and even death. You’ll want to make sure carbon monoxide detectors are present and functioning.
11. Interior and Exterior Doors
Not only should your doors function properly, but they should look nice as well. Especially your exterior doors. They should be clean and free of scratches or other damage as they are one of the first things people will see when they look at your house. They should also open smoothly whether they are on hinges or a sliding track.
12. Gardening and Landscaping
It’s always important to make a good first impression, and that counts for your house as well. Apart from the exterior of your house, the status of the gardening and landscaping that surrounds the house will be some of the first things someone may notice when looking at your house. You don’t have to do anything extreme, but make sure everything is well maintained and tidy.
13. Roof Issues
The appearance of your room is important, but as with many of the items on this list, the functionality is incredibly important as well. Make sure there isn’t any water damage to your roof, and make sure the sealant is free of cracks or other issues. Structural issues with your roofing may lead to leaks or water damage in your home so this is one of the things you’ll likely want to hire a professional for. The gutters are also an important thing to address, but you may be able to do that part yourself.
14. Yard Drainage
If your yard often floods or gets swampy after a rainfall, you likely need to address some drainage issues. In addition to just not looking nice, or making the yard more difficult to enjoy, still water collecting around your house can actually cause damage to the foundation so it’s an important thing to address.
15. Fencing
If you have a fence, you should ensure that it is clean and devoid of any damage. If the fence was originally painted and the paint is chipping, it may be an easy fix to simply clean and repaint it.
Ready to Sell Your House?
If you’re interested in selling your home in Massachusetts quickly, and you want to save yourself the time and money you’d need to expend while addressing any of the potential issues mentioned in our article, consider working with us.
We buy houses all over Massachusetts and will provide you with the best possible cash offer. Get in touch with us today for a consultation or to receive this free, no-obligation cash offer at 781-309-7085.