Should You Carry Out Home Repairs Before You Sell?

Home repairs can be expensive. For this reason, many of us put off repairs that aren’t necessary. But what if you’re planning on selling your home? Should you let the next owner deal with these repairs? Or should you carry them out before you put your home on the market to improve your home’s salability and value?

This post delves into some of things to consider when deciding whether to repair your home before you sell.

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Repairs could make your home more sellable

Finding buyers for certain properties isn’t always easy. Some properties aren’t in a great location for example, which can make them difficult to sell. If such a property is also in disrepair, it could further put off buyers, making it even harder to sell your home.

Unless it’s very minor damage, most damage is very hard to hide from a buyer – most buyers carry out a home inspection, and this will reveal any hidden major problems like subsidence and damaged plumbing. A buyer could also lose trust if you don’t reveal a major flaw with the property, possibly pulling out of the purchase process. 

All in all, a few repairs could make it easier to secure a buyer, so that you’re not waiting around for months or years to sell your home. Of course, if your home is already in an attractive location and has highly sought-after features, this may make up for any damage and repairs may not be necessary.

Some home repairs can add a lot value

The second advantage of repairing your home before you sell is that it could increase the value of your home. This allows you to raise the price and make a bigger potential return. 

What are some repairs that can add a lot of value? Replacing old damaged carpets or laminate can have a huge impact. A new lick of paint could also add a lot of value if the current paintwork is peeling, faded or stained. Replacing damaged roofing and damaged windows can also add a lot of value. 

Just make sure the cost of repairs is worthwhile

While certain repairs can add a lot of value, you don’t want to spend more than you’re gaining. This is why it’s important to consider the extent of the damage and the way that you plan to fix it. 

For example, it may not be worth replacing old kitchen cabinets that are slightly stained or scratched – you’ll add minimal value if any, while the cost of new cabinets could be expensive. Instead, you’re better off leaving your cabinets how they are or making minor repairs like repainting them or replacing knobs. Only replace the entire cabinets if they’ve got serious damage like missing doors – only then are you likely to add enough value by replacing them. Of course, make sure to shop around for materials and contractors when making repairs.

Decide whether you realistically have the time and money for repairs

If you need to sell your home fast, you may not have the time to carry out repairs. Similarly, if you’re financially struggling, you may not be able to borrow thousands to spend on repairs. In these cases, you’re better off trying to sell your home as it is. Your best option may be to simply trade in your house for cash via a house buying company – you won’t get as much money as selling privately, but you’re guaranteed a quick secure sale. 

Of course, if you’re in no rush to sell and you can afford to improve your home, making repairs may not be such an issue.

Decide whether to carry out repairs yourself

If you do decide to carry out repairs, you should next decide whether to hire contractors or handle the repairs yourself. 

DIY repairs will save you money in almost all cases. This could make it possible to add value and make a greater return. However, you need to know what you’re doing – a botched home repair will not add any value at all, and you’ll likely have to spend extra money correcting it. You also need to make sure that it’s safe to handle the repair yourself. Roof repair and electrical repairs for example could be dangerous if you don’t have all the right equipment and expertise.

Hiring contractors is the better option if you’re not particularly DIY-savvy. It’s also a good option when it comes to dangerous jobs like electrical repairs and roof repair (unless you’re qualified to do these jobs). Just bear in mind that it will push up repair costs and could impact the return you make. 

 

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10 comments

  1. Good article! I think many will find this article very helpful. By the way, I would also add here such a thing as replacing old household appliances with modern alternatives. Old appliances like fridges, boilers, and air conditioners can, over time, become complete energy drains as they require more energy to function. By replacing them, you can improve the home’s energy efficiency. These days people appreciate it.

  2. If you want to get as much as possible from the sale of your house, keep in mind that safety also matters. Studies have shown (https://sentriforce.com/news/how-to-reduce-crime-in-your-apartment-community/) that about 97% of renters and buyers factor crime into their decision making when deciding where they choose to live.
    So think about what you can do to improve home security. We can offer to install burglar-proof doors, 3-4 video surveillance cameras watching your door, front lawn and backyard, as well as a high fence and a gate with a code.

  3. You should definitely home repairs specially kitchen repair or remodeling to get the maximum profit during you sell your home. If you want to make your kitchen perfect! Get the kitchen remodeling services from https://www.cabinetsofdistinctionllc.com/cabinet-remodeling/

  4. By the way, you can make your home more sellable by replacing traditional plumbing fixtures with eco-friendly options such as low-flow faucets, toilets, or showerheads. Read our article about these green plumbing fixtures: https://polestarplumbing.com/news-media/how-can-an-eco-friendly-showerhead-help-your-home.
    Even though they may seem pretty expensive, they are worth the investment. These days, people are more concerned about their impact on the planet and pay attention to such things as water and energy efficiency.

  5. Plumbing work is also a job best left to the professionals. These days there are lots of video tutorials, youtube channels where people teach you to cope with many household problems on your own. That’s cool. But still there are some situations when you really should NOT try to do it yourself: https://escoutah.com/plumbing-problems-you-should-not-fix-yourself/.

  6. Good tips! When selling a home, it is important to be as accurate as possible when describing the home. This means that you should carry out home repairs before you sell. This will ensure that your home is in perfect condition when you sell it and that you can make a good profit. Electrician Landsdale

  7. Good read! I just want to add that if you’re looking to do some home improvements in order to boost the value of the house, just cosmetic work is not enough. Other more important things shouldn’t be neglected as well, such as the heating and cooling system. Anyone will prefer to buy a house with new or at least well-functioning HVAC systems. After all, we all know what discomfort unexpected breakdowns in this regard can bring.

  8. […] This is also possible in homes that have been poorly designed, or if there have been failed home repairs that have damaged the structure of the home. In cases like this, you’ll want to examine the roof […]

  9. […] into bigger ones. You can save more money by regularly conducting maintenance checks around the home and investing in the right professionals to fix things up. Here are some tips to prevent costly […]

  10. If you encounter difficulties or feel unsure about how to proceed with a repair, don’t hesitate to seek help. You can consult online tutorials, ask for advice from knowledgeable friends or family members, or hire a professional if the repair is beyond your expertise. is there any way to prevent high-cost home repairs?

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