The listed home with fresh paint, new flooring, and trendy kitchen countertops looks great. The staging furniture makes that property even more fantastic, but what is actually going on underneath it all? While cosmetic repairs add an attractive flair to a house, some maintenance issues like rats in the attic and rotted wood on rafter tails may cause significant decrease in the property.
One of the factors for higher property prices is that almost every residential property goes on listing updates, repaired, inspected, painted, and staged. Today, buyers look for the houses that are in perfect condition, since they are paying a higher price for the property. Considering that sellers should keep the unseen parts of their house dry, clean, and sealed up, it will save thousands when they are selling the property.
What Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home
If you want to get top dollar for your property, you will need to address all the small issues that could drive away prospective buyers. While updating the curb appeal is important, sellers overlook some not so obvious tasks. These include removing dead tree limbs and gutter debris.
Other than this, you must avoid missing cleaning your windows. Look for issues like algae or mold on your roof and have it professionally cleaned. Do not forget to secure door hardware and ensure it works properly. You should clean your carpets and draperies.
Make sure to unclog your slow drains and repair the leaky faucets. If determining such issues are quite a hassle, you may hire a professional to get the work done easily. Inspect the major systems of your house, including heating, plumbing, foundation, roof, and electrical systems.
What Maintenance Pitfalls To Avoid When Buying A Home
Shifting to your new home can be quite exciting, but it does involve some pitfalls that you should never overlook. If you are buying a new home, the most common mistake you may make is assuming that a newly renovated house that seems in perfect condition is best to buy. Even some buyers believe that such remodeled houses have passed necessary inspections.
Keep in mind that it was the vacant property; chances are some systems of that home might not be working properly. Therefore, conduct a thorough inspection to ensure if it has all the systems working properly. Furthermore, home buying involves certain financial burdens besides insurance, taxes, and mortgage that you must be ready for.
You will need to set aside some amount of money for maintenance and repairs. However, if your real estate investment leaves you with plenty of maintenance issues, you will be in trouble in the long run. Therefore, always be sure to opt for a property that has less or no maintenance issues.
Final Word
Whether you are selling or buying a home, you must look at common maintenance pitfalls before making the final decision. If identifying the maintenance issues is difficult, you can approach a professional to inspect the property.