O.K. you’ve made the decision to sell, but is your home ready?

It doesn’t matter how many additional features your home may have; if repairs are needed or the home has structural issues, most buyers will not be interested. It is important that you take care of the physical problems that you are aware of because by law, you need to disclose them to potential buyers anyway this will save you time and money down the road. As a general rule, the buyer will calculate any repair needed to cost much higher than it really does, so fix it now.

Common problem areas include:

Plumbing: During inspection, the property inspector will check for leakage, clogging, proper venting, undersized and rusting pipes. Any of these problems if not corrected can kill the deal.

Damp or Wet Basement/Attic: Moldy odors and mineral deposits on the basement floor will concern most buyers. Mold can also develop in the attic. If not corrected, the buyer will be looking for major price concessions to keep the deal together.

Electrical: Inadequate and overloaded circuits are a potential fire hazard. Inspectors look here for safety and building code compliance.

Heating & Cooling Systems: inadequate heating is usually a result of a poorly functioning heating system or a furnace that is still running over its regular life span. Proper maintenance can extend the systems useful life.

Roofing Problems: External problems like a leaking roof will cause internal problems as well and this will be a great concern to buyers. Missing shingles and

Rotting Wood: Rotting can occur in door or window frames, trim, siding, decks, and fencing. A cosmetic fix-up like painting over it will not hide the problem and will be noticed by a property inspector.

Masonry Work: Problems with external bricks can lead to water and moisture leakage inside a home and loose bricks separating from the structure. Tuck point where necessary.

Adequate Security Features: Your home should provide basic safety measures. Locks, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, exterior lighting etc.

Structural and Foundation Problems: The underlying footing and foundation of your home should be structurally sound and safe. Any cracking should be professionally repaired before problems occur. Some problems are due to soil settlement over time and are easily addressed.