Preparing to Sell

No matter how great your home looks at first glance, any savvy buyer will point to various parts and pop the question: How old? Since guesstimates won’t cut it, you will need to gather some paperwork to get your house ready to sell.

If you’ve purchased your home in the past few years, check your home records or seller’s disclosure for the age or last repair of big items (namely your roof, HVAC system, water heater, and gutters), or dig up copies of your own maintenance records or receipts.

How long items last depends on a lot of factors, such as the model and how well it’s been maintained. But you can get a general idea of the average lifespan from the National Association of Home Builders. For example:

• Wood shingle and shake roof: 15 to 30 years
• Central air-conditioning unit: 15 years
• Electric water heater: 14 years
• Gutters: 30 years

Take a careful, detailed walk-through of your home, room by room, to identify any issues that could affect its value. Chandler Crouch, a broker with Chandler Crouch Realtors in Fort Worth, TX, recommends looking for common problem areas, such as:

• Wood rot around exterior door frames, window ledges, and garage doors, which can be caused by moisture and rain.
• Water stains on ceilings or near windows and doors, potentially signaling roof leaks or water intrusion from outside.
• Leaks under sinks or around toilets.
• Bulges in carpeting or discoloration on hardwood floors, which could point to flooding or foundation issues.

Next, assess the “functionality” of each room. Check for visible cracks in the walls or floors, doors that don’t close properly, broken cabinet handles, or anything else that isn’t working as it should. Crouch advises making repairs for anything that doesn’t function perfectly. Also, remember to inspect the exterior. Since you might overlook some of your home's quirks, it could be helpful to get your agent’s advice on what needs fixing.

Once you've identified areas in your home that need repairs or upgrades, it's time to decide where to invest your money. The good news is, not every issue requires attention before selling. While renovating a property you plan to sell may not be exciting, certain improvements can give you a competitive edge, leading to more or better offers. Remember, real estate is an investment!

However, avoid focusing solely on obvious upgrades, like replacing kitchen cabinets. Many buyers prefer to personalize cosmetic details themselves, so you might be spending money unnecessarily. Instead, focus on improvements that are less influenced by personal taste but still important for buyers, such as structural or functional upgrades.

For instance, a study by the National Association of Realtors® found that upgrading hardwood floors offers the highest return on investment compared to other home improvements. Other valuable upgrades include adding new insulation or replacing the roof, as buyers appreciate knowing they have a sturdy roof over their heads.