When making the big decision of purchasing a home, most buyers are on high alert for deal-breaking red flags – so much so that even little things can trigger an alarm. What you may see as a slightly leaky faucet could give a potential buyer pause about the soundness of the plumbing. Paint that’s past its prime could signify a lack of general upkeep. Build up buyer confidence by knocking out those pesky little to-do’s that you’ve perhaps been putting off.
Paint Your Way To Perfection
Today’s interior paints are formulated to last longer and resist yellowing and fading, but as a rule of thumb, rooms should be repainted every 2–10 years, depending on wear and tear from sun, smoke, humidity and such. There’s nothing like a new coat of paint to foster the feeling of a fresh start.
Interiors should be repainted every 2–10 years, depending on wear and tear. Hire well-recommended professional painters to repaint rooms in neutral eggshell shades for best results.
Bright colors, dated shades, or faded wallpaper can easily turn potential buyers off. When in doubt, a neutral eggshell hue serves as a simple base with which few will find fault. Investing in interior painters can pay off in spades – unless of course, you have a knack for fastidious DIY painting. A sloppy job will only work against you, so if you do decide to go it alone, invest in painters tape and tarps to get the job done as neatly as possible.
Short of repainting every room, which can indeed be quite the endeavor, little touch-ups like scraping and repainting chipped paint on interior and exterior trim are better than nothing and foster a fresher look to put buyers’ minds at ease. (You may also want to read about How Paint Color Can Affect Your Home’s Value.)
Fix Your Fixtures
Maybe you’ve gotten used to the pesky hall light that doesn’t turn on or the guest bathroom sink that drips now and again, but little flaws like these can shake a potential buyer’s confidence. Take on these small repairs yourself or hire a handyman to address any and all small fixes before you let buyers loose on your house. Choose whether to address more serious concerns like issues related to HVAC, foundation cracks, plumbing, and drainage or be prepared to make concessions to potential buyers in your selling price.
Consider replacing older fixtures that have seen better days with more modern versions to give the impression of newness. Brushed nickel faucets and lightswitch plates in the bathroom, a clean-lined overhead light in the kitchen, even a new set of nightstand lamps in the bedroom, can all make a difference. Superficial as they may be, small steps go a long way in making a space shine like new in your buyers’ eyes.
Preempt Problems Like a Pro: Hire a Home Inspector
Want to go the extra mile to inspire buyer confidence? Bring in a home inspector to outline any outstanding issues, and address as many as possible prior to initial showings. From a crack in the walkway to cupped roofing shingles, many common issues can be relatively easily addressed. Larger issues an inspector might uncover, such as HVAC or plumbing concerns, can either be addressed prior to listing or considered as buyer contingencies when negotiating price. In whichever ways possible, presenting a checked-off home inspector list to interested buyers is an impressive way to show your commitment to providing as turnkey a turnover as possible.
Hire a home inspector to help you identify your house’s outstanding issues. The more little issues you can move off the list, the fewer a potential buyer might find, derailing his or her confidence.
Mitigating minor issues can put buyers’ minds at ease, and keep a potential sale on track. By addressing superficial issues like paint, fixtures, and minor repairs, you’re taking important steps toward making your home more ready to sell.
