Getting your Home Ready to List for Sale
When you decide to sell your home, there is a lot of work that goes into the preparation. It’s important to declutter, depersonalize and donate. A good Realtor will hire a professional photographer to shoot the interior and exterior of your home to provide the best first impression possible. Your home will be seen online and it’s how most people decide if they should tour the home in person. Did you know that according to the 2023 NAR Trends report, “ninety-six percent of home buyers used the internet to search for homes”?
These steps get the potential buyers in the door, but it’s just the beginning. State laws vary on Homeowner Disclosures about home condition, but you must be honest with items you know are not working in the home. Other items that don’t fall under these disclosures may still be asked to be repaired during a home inspection.
Once your home receives offers and a contract is accepted most home buyers choose to do a home inspection. An article by AHIT stated that in 2023, “according to data from the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 77% of all homes are inspected before a purchase.”
Even in in the most ideal cases, selling a home is stressful!
Why not be proactive and fix some of the most common elements that Home Inspectors call out in their reports BEFORE you list your home?
Five Easy Fixes before your Home Inspection
- Install Ground Fault Circuit Interuppter (GFCI or GFI)
- Fix Leaky Faucets
- HVAC Tune-up
- Update/Add Smoke Detectors
- Painting or touch-up painting after repairs
#1 Install GFCIs in the kitchen, laundry and bath
The general rule is GFCI protection is needed when an outlet is within six feet of a water source. Therefore, outlets near the kitchen sink, bathroom sink or shower/tub and washing machine will be required. Avoid the home inspector calling out these items out during the inspection by replacing them before showings even begin. Your electrician or contractor should be familiar with local ordinances to meet safety requirements.
#2 Fix Leaky Faucets
You know the kitchen sink has a little leak that you have just “lived with” for years? Now is the time to check all the faucets and fix or replace them. As a bonus, clean the drains if they are running slow. Buyers will often test the water even at a first viewing of a home.
#3 HVAC Tune-up
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Yearly tune-ups are recommended to extend the life of any system. If you haven’t kept up with your maintenance, do it now. An HVAC specialist will come out and clean or repair any minor problems. Make sure they mark their visit on a log on the equipment. Showing you have kept the home in good repair will entice more buyers.
#4 Update/Add Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors should be placed outside of sleeping areas and with a minimum of one on each floor. As of January 2023 in Illinois, the Illinois Smoke Detector Law was updated and now requires residents to replace their old smoke detectors with a long-term, 10-year sealed battery. If you still haven’t replaced your old unit, now is the time. For more information, visit the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
#5 Painting or touch-up painting after repairs
Did the roof leak five years ago and you repaired the leak but never repainted? Or you replaced a fixture and it’s a different size? Now is the time. Anything that looks out of place will call attention to the home buyer and the inspector. Why have the potential buyers worry if a leak is active when you can fix the paint beforehand.
Bonus Items to fix to get the most out of your sale
If you are handy, these can be done yourself. Otherwise hire a handyman for the day to help with these simple items:
- Replace Missing or mismatched lightbulbs
- Tighten loose door and drawer hinges
- Replace or remove broken window treatments
- Extend downspouts away from home
- Improve your curb appeal with a clean up and some fresh mulch
Additional help to prepare your home for sale
Every home is different and every home seller has a different budget for repairs. Reach out to me and we can set up an in-person tour of your home. I can show you the easy (and bigger) fixes that will help the sale of your home go more smoothly!