With it being most definitely a seller’s market at this time, you may be eager to make the move of putting your house up for sale. First, though, you must confirm that it is ready to be showcased. That is, you must walk through your property to identify and rectify any issues or damages that have arisen over the years, through simple wear and tear, weather-related events, or other incidents. With that being said, please read on to discover what repairs you should consider making to your home before selling it and how a seasoned New York City purchase & sale attorney at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. can help you be financially strategic during this pivotal time.
What kinds of repairs should I make before selling my house?
Before you can close on the sale of your home, a professional home inspector must enter your property, identify any potential issues, and itemize a list of repairs that must be made first. Now, there are certain repairs that an inspector will not let slide, and they read as follows:
- There is a leaky part of your roof, or other water damage.
- There are cracks in your foundation, or other structural damage.
- There are faulty wires and outlets, or other electrical system issues.
- There is a malfunctioning water heater, or other plumbing system issues.
- There is a termite issue in your house structure, or other pest or insect infestations.
As a general rule of thumb, you should prioritize repairs that make your house safe and secure for the next owner. If you fail to disclose known issues with the property to potential buyers ahead of time, and they get surprised at the results of the inspections, they are likely to back out of the purchase altogether.
Should I make the effort to make cosmetic changes to my house?
It is understandable if you would rather invest money in improving your new home than renovating one you are moving out of. However, there is something to be said about making cosmetic changes to the house you put up on the market. For one, cosmetic changes may boost your home’s curb appeal and subsequently attract more prospective buyers to tour it. Hand in hand, many buyers prefer properties that are coined as “move-in ready.”
With that in mind, such cosmetic changes do not necessarily need to be costly. Rather, the smallest changes may go the longest way in this circumstance. For example, you may plant flowers in your front lawn if you put your house on the market during the springtime or summer months. Or, you may repaint or wallpaper on walls that are dirty or have chips on them. This may not even necessarily be a repair, but you may do something as simple as power washing the siding of your house to remove collected dirt, pollen, and other weather-related debris.
In the end, if you are ready to get your house on the market, please retain the services of a competent New York City real estate attorney. Our team at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. awaits your phone call.
