Category: News

Many home sellers often overlook easy and relatively inexpensive fixes that not only increase visual appeal, but may also add to a home’s selling price. While major remodeling is costly and may not address the needs and tastes of prospective buyers, these repair and maintenance suggestions have universal appeal and may help a home sell more quickly – and for a better price.

INTERIOR

• Bathrooms and the kitchen must get a deep cleaning. Sellers should consider a cleaning company that offers “move in / move out” cleaning services to do the job.
• If kitchen cabinet exteriors are in bad shape, refacing may be an option. Far less expensive than new cabinetry, refacing can give old and worn cabinets new life and can visually renew a kitchen. Alternatively, many cabinet materials can also be painted, for an updated look without costing a lot.
• Consider replacing kitchen or bathroom counters with a neutral colored laminate surface if the current material is badly worn or stained. This gives the room a fresh appearance and, most importantly, prevents potential buyers from focusing on an eyesore.
• Fresh paint on the walls and ceilings will do wonders for all rooms in the house. Stick to neutral tones so that buyers aren’t distracted by colors that make a statement. They’ll be able to imagine themselves and their furniture in the space much more easily.
• If carpet now covers up hardwood floors, consider having it removed to expose the hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are desirable, so they should be shown off. If carpet is to remain, it should be thoroughly cleaned.

EXTERIOR

• If the home’s exterior needs painting, get it done. Buyers notice if paint is faded and peeling. If the paint is in good shape overall, renew the doors and trim with a fresh coat.
• Clean the windows inside and out so they sparkle. It’s amazing what a difference this can make in a home’s appearance. Hiring a professional window cleaning company is the easiest and safest way to get the job done on a multi-story home.
• Clear clutter from the yard, keep the lawn mowed, and trim any overgrown shrubs that detract from the home’s appearance. The home should look well maintained even at first glance.
• Place pots of bright, colorful flowers along an entry path and near the doors to add a cheery, welcoming touch.

Homeowners should save major remodeling projects – and the budget required – for their new home, not the one they are about to sell. But implementing some of the steps above can increase the appeal to prospective buyers without a huge investment in time or money.

More verified home information before a sale eases buyers’ minds and supports higher listing prices

It’s no secret that certain markets suffer from a persistent lack of inventory. In these areas facing tight supply, what is the best way for agents to provide value to homebuyers and sellers?

One commonly overlooked, but cost-effective way to get the best price for your seller — or calm your buyer’s fears in a multiple-bid scenario — is a pre-listing home inspection.

A pre-listing inspection is often arranged and paid for by sellers prior to listing their home. Listing agents also may choose to pay for the inspection on behalf of their clients as part of their listing services. Ultimately, the seller will be the inspector’s client and will receive the final report.

One of the biggest advantages a pre-listing inspection delivers sellers and listings agents is the ability for them to pinpoint key issues or major repairs before the house goes on the market. It’s important that listing agents be the most knowledgeable person in the deal. Leaving the inspection up to a buyer’s inspector can decrease the seller’s asking price, or worse, kill a deal entirely.

Most buyers don’t actually know how much things cost to construct or repair. For every perceived defect, many buyers will triple or quintuple the actual cost of the repair and lower their asking price accordingly.

For example, if buyers perceive a defect that will cost $1,000 to repair, they will want to knock $3,000 to $5,000 off their asking price. This means less money in the listing agent and seller’s pockets, not to mention a more complicated closing. Listing agents also lose leverage in the deal.

Now to the juicy part: a pre-listing inspection can actually make listing agents and their sellers more money.

It’s simple; by knowing the potential issues or repairs ahead of time, sellers can choose to fix them themselves or leave them to the buyer to address. If sellers choose the latter, they can secure three quotes from reputable contractors for the repairs so that buyers will know the cost to fix the issue. This allows the potential new owners to budget for the repairs. All of this fosters openness and transparency within the transaction, a positivity that can help push sale prices higher.

On the other side of the deal, buyers facing a multiple-bid scenario will feel more comfortable bidding aggressively if a pre-listing inspection is available for them to review. If they need to waive conditions to win the house, buyers can feel more at ease if major issues have already been highlighted or addressed.

Most importantly, pre-listing inspections provide the opportunity for a great return on investment. As the average pre-listing inspection costs less than 1 percent of a home’s overall value yet can help push home prices higher than they would otherwise go, the seller and listing agent come out with a win-win.

Listing agents can also choose to use the pre-listing inspection report as a marketing tool when listing the house to attract multiple buyers.

Below is a list of items that, as a general rule of thumb, sellers find it worthwhile to fix. Another list shows the items that they typically find is best to leave for buyers.

Items worth fixing prior to listing:

• Any electrical issues (for safety)
• Items that have a clear safety risk or environmental issue
• Broken steps
• Loose or missing handrails or guardrails
• Buried or abandoned oil tanks
• Other inexpensive, simple-to-fix items
• Any improperly hung doors or screens (replace)
• Furnace condensation leaks
• Broken cabinets
• Plumbing leaks

Items best left to buyer to fix:

• Cosmetic items that will appeal to a buyer’s specific taste
• Roof shingles
• Flooring
• Energy enhancements
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Major appliances

At the end of the day, sharing valuable knowledge is the key to becoming a successful real estate agent. With demonstrated expertise, agents can:

• Position themselves as true professionals
• Take control of the selling process
• Provide a high level of service to clients
• Develop the courage and discipline to create a listing process that will sell homes faster and for more money.

Pillar To Post provides top-notch home inspections throughout the U.S. and Canada. Visit its website for more information. Or to download a repair cost guide, click here.

Article originally published on INMAN.com: INMAN.com

Our homes harbor more than just our families and possessions. Home is also where pollutants, allergens, and other irritants accumulate and thrive, with possible harmful effects on our health. There are simple steps homeowners can take to improve the air quality in their home and increase their comfort and well being.

HANDLE HUMIDITY

High humidity is one of the main contributors to mold and dust mite growth, both of which adversely affect indoor air quality. Keeping indoor humidity below 50% will help prevent further infestation, although once mold gets established it can continue to grow even at lower humidity levels. To reduce humidity in the home, always use ventilation fans in kitchens and bathrooms, make sure the dryer is properly vented to the outdoors, and address any leaks or condensation issues. Consider using a dehumidifier in especially humid locations such as basements, which usually have poor air circulation and are prone to dampness.

COLLECT THE DUST

Reducing dust in the home can also improve air quality. Dust can be comprised of pollen, mold spores, lint, animal dander and even bacteria. While it’s impossible to completely rid a home of dust, there are ways to control it. Purchase a quality vacuum cleaner and use it regularly. Try a vacuum with a HEPA filter that traps small particulate matter and keeps it from being blown back into the room. Change or clean furnace filters regularly, according to manufacturer’s instructions. High-quality furnace filters are more expensive than ordinary types, but are more effective at filtering dust, pet hair, and other particles.

GO AHEAD AND VENT

Opening doors and windows whenever possible can also help with indoor air quality. The home will have better air circulation and “breathe” more easily, and of course homeowners will enjoy the fresh air on a nice day.

CHEMICAL SENSE

Many cleaning products are available in less toxic and environmentally-friendly formulations. In fact, many “green” cleaners and detergents now do an equal or better job than their conventional counterparts. Dispose of old paint, pesticides, and other products so they aren’t leaking fumes into your home. Homeowners should check with their trash collection provider for instructions on how to properly dispose of such items. Check for leaks or damage to packaged household products such as cleaners and solvents, and dispose of accordingly.

By taking these relatively easy steps, homeowners can truly make their home a breath of fresh air.