Wednesday
Feb062013
4 Small fixes make a difference when selling a house
Brian Donlyuk - Vista Filare Specialist
Over and over, these items are being written up in buyer's home inspection reports. Deal breakers? No. Buyer's repair requests? Probably. What is more important is the thoughts that these overlooked or neglected items plant in buyers' minds.Examples are "I wonder what other things are wrong that we can't see" or "I am not a handy person, so I will have to hire a contractor to fix it". Not every buyer reacts that way, but why not be pro-active and present the home in a maintained fashion already?
Grade levels along the home: Many of us have planter beds along the home. Or the leaves pile up, and then for good measure we have a faulty downspout. I can't tell you how many inspection reports call out the fact that the earth is piled too high against the home's wall or siding or a condition that lets water pool against the house. Tip: earth should not be piled up above the weep screed (that 3.5 inches of sheet metal between the foundation and the wall of the house. Solution: Remove and level excess dirt or leaves.There is no doubt that small fixes make a difference when selling a house.
[caption id="attachment_1905" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Earth covering weep screed[/caption]
Water heater strapping: Done properly, the job sails perfectly past a buyer's home inspection. Mr. Seller, if your water heater is not strapped, take action before putting the house on market and avoid being "written up". Is it strapped? Check if it's done properly and correct if necessary. Here are the guidelines for this requirement.
Furnace filter: Filters are cheap. Problem is that most homeowners simply do not think about hidden things like a furnace filter. Just before putting their home on market, sellers should replace or wash (depending on installed product) the filter in their furnace!
Burned out bulbs: If there is a burned out bulb 15 feet up on a cathedral ceiling, the buyer is now thinking about all the future headaches he may have changing light bulbs. Sellers, be sure to have every light in the home working when you list.
Naturally, home inspectors will usually identify more potential issues with a home. But to watch for and fix these 4 small fixes puts sellers a step ahead of the game.
Grade levels along the home: Many of us have planter beds along the home. Or the leaves pile up, and then for good measure we have a faulty downspout. I can't tell you how many inspection reports call out the fact that the earth is piled too high against the home's wall or siding or a condition that lets water pool against the house. Tip: earth should not be piled up above the weep screed (that 3.5 inches of sheet metal between the foundation and the wall of the house. Solution: Remove and level excess dirt or leaves.There is no doubt that small fixes make a difference when selling a house.
[caption id="attachment_1905" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Earth covering weep screed[/caption]Water heater strapping: Done properly, the job sails perfectly past a buyer's home inspection. Mr. Seller, if your water heater is not strapped, take action before putting the house on market and avoid being "written up". Is it strapped? Check if it's done properly and correct if necessary. Here are the guidelines for this requirement.
Furnace filter: Filters are cheap. Problem is that most homeowners simply do not think about hidden things like a furnace filter. Just before putting their home on market, sellers should replace or wash (depending on installed product) the filter in their furnace!
Burned out bulbs: If there is a burned out bulb 15 feet up on a cathedral ceiling, the buyer is now thinking about all the future headaches he may have changing light bulbs. Sellers, be sure to have every light in the home working when you list.
Naturally, home inspectors will usually identify more potential issues with a home. But to watch for and fix these 4 small fixes puts sellers a step ahead of the game.
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