As important as the cosmetics are when staging your home, the actual condition of the essentials can have a powerful influence on how much money you walk away with. Some problems can even prevent buyers from obtaining their loan if left unfixed. Let’s look at seven things to check for a better listing price and an easier sell.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”#dd1f1f” class=”” size=””]Few things are so crucial in Texas as the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.[/perfectpullquote]
HVAC
Few things are so crucial in Texas as the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systemAnd as a relatively expensive component of your home, potential buyers will want to know the age of the unit (15-20 years is about the max), its condition, and any potential issues with the duct work.
Water Heater
Water heaters are said to last between 8 and 12 years, so figure out how long yours has been cooking! If there are no leaks and the water’s still hot, you’re probably in good shape. If you’ve never done so, drain it and remove any sediment from the bottom in the spirit of basic maintenance.
Electrical Panel
Preventative electrical panel maintenance is recommended every 1-3 years, but if you’re like many people, you may never think to have that box of switches looked at. Dust and moisture are hard on your wires, so give things a once-over at least, and if you’re regularly resetting breakers, get it checked out!
Pipes
Pipes are harder to check for damage, so keep an eye on your water pressure. If it starts to falter, it could indicate a problem in your plumbing. Also consider your water’s hardness, as this can lead to mineral buildup and increased stress. See this great article for more on plumbing maintenance, repair, and solutions.
Kitchen
Arguably one of the most important spaces, the kitchen can make or break a sale. Start by making sure the disposal works, the cabinets are clear of food splatter, and nothing is growing between tiles or in the drain. If you’re willing to remodel, the kitchen has the potential for a great return on your investment. [perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”#dd1f1f” class=”” size=””]
The kitchen has the potential for a great return on your investment.[/perfectpullquote]
Houzz’s 2016 kitchen trends study shows common desires and concerns for kitchen space, and there’s plenty of inspiration if you need ideas. Experts recommend starting with backsplash, countertops, and updated appliances before moving on to the rest.
Bathroom
Personally, this is my top priority when considering a living space. Bathrooms are where we prepare for the day and wash it off before we go to bed. We begin and end here, and no one wants to bookend their days in a dirty, outdated, or dark space. New mirrors, good lighting, fresh fixtures, and clean grout/caulk can mean a world of difference. Showerheads and toilets are also factors to consider updating.
Flooring
“What you walk on creates value. If you can only afford to make the investment in one significant part of your home, consider updating the flooring,” writes Cara Ameer on Inman. It is true that beautiful flooring can impress more than most things, while shag carpet spells near-certain doom. With many low-cost options, flooring remodels could be more doable than you think. And as you should always do when staging, make sure floors are clean and baseboards wiped for showings. Don’t let those dust bunnies tell any stories! [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#dd1f1f” class=”” size=””]Flooring remodels could be more doable than you think.[/perfectpullquote]
Conclusion
Cleaning, maintaining, replacing, and renovating all take effort, so make sure your effort goes where it’s most effective. Focus on these seven internals and your house will thank you, as will your wallet and your buyers.