Pre-sale Home Repairs
You’ve decided it’s time to sell your home. Your neighbour just sold for a pretty penny, but they also spent a lot on remodelling and renovations. Does that mean you need to upgrade your home to sell?
Is it worth trying to sell as is? Or will your home be passed up and stuck on the market? Fortunately, full-scale remodels aren’t required to sell your home. Sure, a home reno might fetch more money, but it’s not always worth the time and effort. So how do you know what’s worth fixing up? Here are the do’s and don’ts of pre-listing home renovations.
DO:
- Fix trip hazards in and around your home - Uneven flooring and sidewalks, broken stairs, and off-kilter ramps, aren’t just noticeable to touring Buyers; they’re a downright danger
- Fix pet damage and lingering odours - Scratches on doors, torn window screens, and holes in the yard, will only make Buyers wary of further pet damage on the property
- Fix water stains - Even if you’ve fixed the pipes or plumbing issues, Buyers may still worry about mildew or mould problems
DON'T:
- Make partial updates to older kitchens and baths - Mixing old and new elements only highlights the age of the space. You need to commit to a full upgrade, or let the Buyer do a comprehensive remodel on their own
- Decorate the home with trendy or bold colours - Neutral colours photograph better, make the space look larger, and help Buyers re-imagine the house with their belongings. Bold and bright colours do the opposite
- Renovate beyond what your neighbours have done - Buyers are going to offer what comparable sales suggest, no matter how much money you’ve poured into remodelling
A few repairs and upgrades can certainly make your home more marketable. But a full-scale remodel? That’s not necessary in most cases.
