Sellers frequently are anxious to get their property on the market so it can be sold. But before allowing a buyer through the door, there are a few obvious fixes you should make. If something is clearly broken … a cracked window, for example, or a screen door that doesn't open without yanking hard on it ... needs to be fixed right away. Some less obvious items also should be fixed right up front.
If a buyer walks in and sees broken items from the get-go, it may plant the seeds of negativity and doubt about the house in their minds. Here are four things you should check out prior to opening your house up to showings.
Sinks and faucets. A leaky or dripping faucet should be addressed immediately, and often is a quick and inexpensive fix. Check that the stoppers properly close the sink drain and that the hot and cold handles work correctly. Clear the drains and make sure the water does come up to temp properly, as buyers will often turn on the water in the kitchen and bathrooms to be sure they are working correctly. Flush the toilets and make sure there are no leaks there too.
Light fixtures and windows. Light fixtures should be clean and properly working. If they flicker have an electrician check the wiring. Replace bulbs so they are all the same color hue and make sure to change burned out bulbs. Dust and polish the glass in chandeliers (and of course clean all the windows in the house). You want to give a light and bright first impression, and dirty window and light fixtures make a buyer wonder how well the house was maintained.
Ceilings and floors. Some agents were trained to enter a room and scan from top to bottom to check for flaws. If there are stains on the ceilings, walls or floors, address that to avoid questions. A water stain from a leaky roof may have been repaired years ago, but if the stain remains you will receive questions. Always disclose problems like this on your seller's disclosure, and tell the buyer what happened and how it was fixed. Paint the ceiling or walls to make it look clean and fresh. If the flooring is stained or damaged, replace it. At the very least, steam clean carpets to make sure they do not hold odors or dirt that could turn off buyers. In badly worn areas or carpets with heavy pet smells, replace the carpets.
Doors. The front door needs to be inviting, not scratched or dirty. A fresh coat of paint will do wonders to impress buyers. Replace or refresh the door handles and all hardware. The sliding glass doors to the patio should open smoothly and lock easily. All interior doors should be clean and dent- and scratch-free.
Take an extra few days to make sure your house is ready to show, and you'll benefit later when the offers start coming in. A clean, bright and well maintained home stands out from the crowd and in the end will bring you more money than a rush job.
Posted by Ramus Realty Group on
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