If you’re like many people who want to sell a home along 30A, you’ll want to make sure it’s in top condition before you put it on the market. Check out these five repairs you should make before you sell your home – and then call a real estate agent to talk about your options.
5 Repairs You Should Make Before You Sell Your Home on 30A
When you know your home has issues that, you’ll probably have to fix them (unless you’re selling the house as-is) – but you and your agent can talk about that when the time comes. Other than that, these are five repairs you should make:
- Floors
- Windows and doors
- Landscaping
- Old paint
- Dated or poor lighting
Let’s have a closer look at each of these.
Repair #1: Floors
Many buyers just aren’t that into carpet – and if your carpet is old, stained or smells like pets, it’s time to replace it. You may even want to tear out your carpet and invest in hardwoods, laminate or tile. Your real estate agent can help you make this decision, though – sometimes what’s popular in one neighborhood goes over like a lead balloon in another.
The big thing with carpet is that buyers who don’t like it – and there are many of them – are going to look at it and wonder how much it’ll cost to get rid of it. You can save them the trouble and do it yourself… and you may even be able to fetch a higher price for your home as a result.
Related: 5 home flaws that can send home buyers running
Repair #2: Windows and doors
You don’t want buyers to open a creaky door or try to open a window that gets stuck – they’ll wonder why you haven’t maintained things, and then they’ll start thinking bigger. If you haven’t done small things, like oiling the door hinges or fixing the windows, what big things have you let slide?
It’s a good idea to make sure everything buyers touch (and they’ll touch everything) is in good working order. Otherwise, they’ll be wary of making an offer because they’ll think they’ll have to fork over cash to make repairs after buying.
Repair #3: Landscaping
Good landscaping can increase your home’s value by up to 28 percent, so it makes sense to let buyers form a great impression before they even step through your front door. You don’t have to hire a landscaper (unless your real estate agent recommends it) – but you do have to edge the lawn, plant flowers and update your front porch furniture so your house is as attractive as possible from the curb.
Related: 3 easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal
Repair #4: Old paint
Wash your walls and take a good, hard, objective look at them. Could they use a fresh coat?
If you’re looking at dark-colored paint or wallpaper, your real estate agent may suggest that you change things up to make your home lighter, brighter and more appealing.
Repair #5: Dated or poor lighting
If your light fixtures are outdated – or worse, if they’re not doing the job of illuminating every corner of your home – it’s time for an upgrade. Light fixtures are like clothing; they go out of style quickly, and they can make a gorgeous home look outdated.
Related: 3 things that could make your house hard to sell
How Much is Your Home Worth?
Every home is different, so it’s a good idea to have a licensed real estate agent complete a comparative market analysis, or CMA, for you. Don’t rely on “Zestimates” or other computer-generated estimates on how much your home is worth – they’re typically off by as much as 18 percent. That’s because when a real estate agent does a CMA, he or she compares similar properties in similar areas, accounting for things like home upgrades, repairs and other issues – and your agent will understand what the local market can bear based on your home’s specifics.
Find out how much your home is worth now!
Are You Buying a Home Along 30A?
If you’re thinking about buying a home for sale on 30A, we can help you. Sign up for exclusive access to the hottest listings – we’ll notify you as soon as homes that meet your needs hit the market!
You can also check out all our 30A real estate listings or get specific with these links:
- Alys Beach homes for sale
- Destin homes for sale
- Grayton Beach homes for sale
- Panama City Beach homes for sale
- Santa Rosa Beach homes for sale
- WaterColor homes for sale
