7 Major Items to Repair Before Selling Your Home
If you’re putting your home on the market this spring, you’re probably wondering what major items to repair before selling your home.
Good thinking!
It’s better to address any major issues before putting your home on the market and not waiting for the home inspector to uncover them – because they will. By being proactive, you can avoid having to lower the listing price to accommodate for these issues or worse, jeopardizing the sale altogether.
In this article, we’ll be breaking down the major items to address before selling your home; these key items include:
- Roof, including attic insulation
- Water drainage, including gutters
- Foundation
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC system
- Home safety features
1. Roof Problems
Let’s start at the top.
It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to ensure a secure and well-maintained roof, including proper attic insulation. Not only will a faulty roof decrease property value, but it can lead to leaks, mold, and increased energy bills.
If you know or suspect your roof needs repair or replacement, you should have it assessed and repaired or replaced before selling your home.
When it comes to roof repairs, you can expect to spend anywhere from $150 to $1,500 for minor repairs whereas major repairs can range anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000. For a roof replacement, you can expect to spend upwards of $8,000 or more.
Attic Insulation
Along with roof repairs, comes replacing attic insulation. Because of their close proximity, if you have problems with your roof, there’s also a good chance you may have some damage to your attic insulation.
A well insulated attic allows for better home insulation and thus lower energy costs.
2. Water Drainage Issues
Proper water drainage is crucial when it comes to the health of your home. This includes everything from the gutters to the grade of the yard which should always slope away from the home.
If you notice water pooling near your foundation, you may need to contact a contractor to regrade your yard as this is not a minor issue. Regrading costs on average somewhere between $1000 and $5000, depending on the size of your yard.
Gutters
When considering water drainage, you should also think about your gutters. Although technically part of the roof, gutters are what ensure proper water drainage away from the home, so we thought best to include them in this section.
Gutter guards are a relatively simple way to ensure proper water drainage from the roof.
3. Foundation Flaws
A damaged foundation jeopardizes the structural integrity of the entire home without question. As such, any foundation flaws must be assessed before you sell your home.
Unfortunately, foundation fixes are not cheap, costing on average around $4,500. With this one, if you do have issues, you’re just gonna have to bite the bullet; there’s no getting around it. However, on the reverse side you will undoubtedly feel much better going into a potential deal with this intact.
4. Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues, if not properly addressed, can lead to water damage, mold, and a huge headache.
According to a Forbes article, you can expect to spend on average about $400 for plumbing repair work (although major repairs can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand). Like with all of these repairs, do yourself a favor and call around for quotes in order to avoid overpaying.
5. Faulty Electrical
According to ESFI, or Electrical Safety Foundation International, “electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home structure fires,” accounting for “an estimated 51,000 fires each year, [nearly] 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage.” As such, any electrical issues absolutely need to be addressed before selling your home.
Cost wise, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for more minor repairs up to a few thousand for major repairs.
6. HVAC System Issues
The HVAC system, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, is another major item that should be repaired before selling your home, given there are issues with the HVAC.
Replacing an HVAC can be expensive as it is a major home system, ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
7. Home Safety Features
When we talk about home safety features, this includes things like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Replacing home safety features is a simple, cheap, and necessary fix.
What Else?
Beyond these major repairs, there’s a number of repairs & upgrades you can make to your home before selling to add home value.
Keep in mind though there is a distinction between repairs and upgrades. Repairs, like the seven items covered above, are necessary whereas upgrades, like replacing sliding doors with french or pocket doors for example, are optional.
In order to get the highest ROI on your investment, some desired upgrades may have to take a back seat to any necessary repairs. Once you’re past this, you’re onto home staging, setting a price, and actually putting the home one the market.
Need Any Help?
Should you find yourself in the DMV area and planning on placing your home on the market this Spring, reach out to us! We have a ton of experienced agents ready to help guide you through the home selling process and even find your next home!
