How to Get Ready for Selling Your Home in the Summer
Do you plan on selling your home this summer? By making the correct repairs and upgrades, you can ensure that you get a fast offer. With these tips, your house won’t stay on the market for long.
Fix Faulty Appliances
Potential buyers won’t want to buy new appliances after purchasing a new home. That’s why you should take the time to examine and repair all of your appliances. Have your appliances professionally serviced so that you can ensure your reliability.
It’s common for older appliances to develop issues over time. From true refrigerator repairs to HVAC servicing, suitable repair work will make your home more appealing. You’ll even be able to tell buyers that you recently had your appliances serviced.
Buying a house is a major risk, but if you make a few improvements before you sell, you can give potential buyers peace of mind. Fixing appliances is an easy and effective way to get a fast offer on your home. Have your appliances looked at before you sell, and don’t hesitate to make the necessary repairs.
Get Rid of Pests
Many pests are known to invade homes, including insects and rodents. Some pest infestations are obvious, but there could also be pests lurking in areas where you can’t see them. It’s common to spot pests in attics, and you may also discover them lurking behind appliances or inside cabinets.
You won’t want pests to appear when buyers are touring your home! That’s why having a pest control company check your home is wise. If you do have a pest problem, you’ll have a chance to deal with it before listing your home.
Any seller can benefit from having their home checked for pests, but watching for common signs of pests is also a good idea. You may notice animal droppings, unpleasant smells, or damage to your home you can’t explain. Problems like this make it difficult to get a fast offer on a property.
Not only is it unsettling to spot pests in your home, but pests can put your household at risk. Pests can contaminate food and are carriers for serious diseases. Safety should be a priority when preparing your home for sale, so you should confirm that it’s pest free.
Have Contractors Assess Your Roof
Roofs insulate homes and protect them from elemental damage. Your roof is exposed to rain, hail, snow, and other elements, making it vulnerable to wear and tear. You should identify and repair roofing damage before listing your home. Have contractors check your roof so that you’ll have time to address these issues.
Contractors can look for roofing wind damage, loose shingles, mold, and other common signs of damage. If there are issues with your roof, you’ll have a chance to deal with them before you put your home on the market. Many roofing issues are cheaper to fix when you catch them early on, so it’s wise to be proactive about roof repairs.
All roofs have to be replaced eventually, but buyers want to purchase homes with roofs in good condition. If you can show that your roof was recently assessed and repaired, you’ll be able to get a fast offer from a buyer. When you can demonstrate to buyers that your home has a sturdy roof, you can give them peace of mind.
Roof repairs can also prevent other issues that can make it challenging to sell a home, such as water damage. Hiring roofing contractors can help you avoid nasty surprises during a home inspection. Instead of ignoring potential problems, deal with them proactively. That way, you’ll have a smoother selling experience.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space
During the warm summer months, people want to be outside as much as possible! That’s why you should make some improvements to your home’s backyard. Creating an appealing outdoor living space can also make your home feel larger than it actually is.
Even minor improvements can make your yard feel more inviting. For example, you can use patio pavers to create paths in your backyard or build a space for entertaining. Use patio furniture to stage your backyard so that potential buyers can imagine themselves hosting a barbeque or a backyard get-together.
No one wants to spend all of their time cooped up indoors. If you ensure your home has an appealing outdoor living space, you can expect a fast offer. You can even spend your time enjoying your backyard while you’re waiting for your home to sell.
Add Extra Storage
Homes often feel cramped when they don’t have enough storage. A lack of storage can also lead to clutter, making your home look messy. Built-in storage is extremely appealing to buyers and can help you keep your home clean for open houses.
Adding built-in shelving near your home’s entryway can keep shoes and other clutter from piling up. Installing a garage cabinet can free up extra space in your garage. Hang up open shelves in your kitchen so that you have additional space to store mugs, dishes, and other important items.
Some people have said that the secret to keeping a home clean is having a place for every item you need to store. Once you add additional storage, you won’t have to worry about where you’ll put certain items. That extra storage could make your home feel much more spacious.
Built-in storage is one of the most cost-effective ways to add space to your home. There are plenty of ways to add extra storage to your home, and these improvements make it much easier to get a fast offer on a property. Try to add additional storage to every room in your home!
Do a Closet Clearout
When buyers view a home, they don’t want it to feel lived in. Instead, they want to be able to imagine themselves living at a property. Clutter adds a personal touch to a home, but it can also be off-putting, so it’s wise to clear out items you don’t want or need as you prepare to sell your home. Take down pictures and personal items, and say goodbye to any extra items you’ve been holding onto.
Your closet is likely filled with clothes you no longer wear, and there are probably many items you don’t use around your house. Go through these items and donate or sell the things you don’t want anymore. Not only will this free up extra space in your home, but it will make it easier for you to move after you find a buyer!
Many moving companies charge less when you’re moving fewer items, so cleaning out your closet could actually save you money. A clean, clutter-free home can also help you secure a fast offer. When you move into your new place, the only items you’ll be bringing are the things you love. It’s the ideal way to settle into a new living space!
Check for Plumbing Problems
Clogs, leaks, and other plumbing issues are unfortunately common. Not only can these kinds of problems lead to water damage, mold, and higher water bills, but they can also interfere with the sale of your home. According to Zillow, plumbing issues are one of the top reasons homes fail an inspection.
Most people call a plumber when they need help with a specific problem, but plumbing companies will also check your pipes and look for issues you must take care of. A plumber can check your water pressure, look at your pipes, and find any problems that could interfere with your home’s sale.
Even if you manage to get a fast offer, the buyer could back out if there are serious issues with the plumbing in your house. Don’t assume that your pipes are fine, especially if you live in an older property. A plumbing company can look for issues that you may not have noticed.
The longer you wait to fix a plumbing problem, the more expensive the repair bill will likely be. Don’t make any assumptions about the condition of your pipes. Have a plumber check it out and resolve issues before buyers take a closer look at your home.
Make Sure Your Home’s Up to Code
If you live in an older property or have done some DIY repair work over the years, it’s a good idea to confirm that everything in your home is up to code. Building codes vary based on location and are revised regularly. While you can review the requirements yourself, you may want to hire a private inspector to examine your home more closely.
Many properties have hiring that isn’t up to code. Frayed or faulty wiring can increase the risk of a house fire, so you should have the best electricians in your area check your property. Electricians can fix wiring issues, bringing your property up to code and preventing a potential catastrophe. An electrician can also check your circuit box to ensure everything is labeled correctly.
In some areas, you may be able to contact your local building department for assistance. Some building departments offer a courtesy inspection or will inspect your house for a reasonable fee. You don’t want to get a fast offer on a home with numerous code violations! It’s always best to ensure that your home is fully up to code before you try to sell.
Improve Your Curb Appeal
If you want a competitive, fast offer on your home, you’ll want to work on its curb appeal. According to Realtor Magazine, homes with curb appeal sell for 7% more on average. With the right improvements, you can ensure your home makes a positive first impression on every prospective buyer.
One quick and easy way to enhance a home’s curb appeal is to repaint the front door! Using a vibrant color on your front door can make the home stand out from other nearby properties. It can even help potential buyers find your property when touring homes.
Landscaping is also a critical part of curb appeal. Many people work with landscaping companies when preparing to sell. That way, they can ensure the lawn looks its best. Professional landscapers can also add attractive features that make your home more appealing, such as flowers and shrubs!
If your driveway is in front of your home, you’ll also want to take steps to enhance its appearance. Pressure washing is an excellent way to clean up a dingy-looking driveway. You may want to look into resealing or resurfacing your driveway if it has cracks or other signs of damage. Make sure that your home looks as great on the outside as it does on the inside.
Keep Your Home Comfortable
If buyers are sweaty and uncomfortable when they tour your home, they won’t want to put in a fast offer. Instead, they’ll want to leave your place as soon as possible. Keeping your home comfortable is always important, but it’s especially critical in the summer when temperatures are at their highest.
Not only do you want to ensure your home is cool, but you’ll need to ensure that your air conditioner is keeping the humidity in your home at a reasonable level. If you’re having issues with heat or humidity, look into an air conditioner replacement. A new air conditioner is a big expense, but buyers will want it in the summer!
Along with making home improvements, it’s a good idea to set out refreshments for visiting buyers. Make sure buyers can grab a glass of water if they’re thirsty. These small touches might not seem all important, but they’re very valuable to buyers. If you go the extra mile, your house will stand out from the other properties the buyer looks at.
If you want a fast offer on your home this summer, don’t try selling it as is. Even if you’re not planning any major renovation projects, making a few improvements to your house before you try to sell is smart. From interior to exterior enhancements, the right upgrades will help you sell your home in no time!
