It’s a question that everyone who wants to put their Markham house up for sale must answer.
Should I invest in-home repairs or sell the house “as is”?
It’s not always an easy question to answer. But, even if you choose the “as is” route, it wouldn’t hurt to put together a home maintenance checklist of easier and/or less costly things to do. Even fixer-uppers benefit from looking their best and attract higher bids when they do.
5 Items for Your Maintenance Checklist Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale
The reason for deciding whether or not to hire professionals for home repairs is the concern that you might not get back the cost of the repairs from the selling price of the home. The following items for your checklist are generally easy-to-do DIY repairs or those that get the highest return when selling.
Call a Friend
Yes, this is not a repair or maintenance. But, someone who doesn’t live in the house day-to-day will see things that you might not, which can help you decide what needs the most attention.
Ask your friend to walk around the interior and exterior of your home and tell you what they notice or would repair.
Do a Spring Cleaning
No matter what time of year you’re selling, pretend it’s spring cleaning time. In the winter months, be sure to keep boots and mittens from the entrance ways of the house. Remember the exterior of the home, including shovelling driveways and walkways, trimming the grass trim and raking the leaves.
Be particularly meticulous in the kitchen and bathroom. They can both get dirtier than you think with things like grease and soap stains, and they are both important to potential buyers.
Declutter
Not just getting rid of all the stuff on the coffee table either. We mean a serious clearing out of as many things as you can. A friend may be able to help here too.
Things like that gallery wall of all your family pictures, mementoes of your vacations, and that easy chair that doesn’t match anything in the family room might be comforting to you, but they can be a turn-off for potential buyers.
Patch & Paint
This is generally regarded as one of the easiest and least expensive improvements you can do for a relatively high payback when you sell. Fill and sand holes and imperfections in your walls and give them a solid coat of paint in a neutral colour.
Outside, check the mortar between your bricks and tuckpoint for any holes. Also, take a close look at your entrance doors and garage doors, they play a huge role in the curb appeal of your home, so a coat of paint can go a long way.
Make Sure Everything Works Smoothly
You know that door that squeaks? Put some oil on the hinges. From sticking doors and windows to loose ceiling fans, try to get everything into good working order.
Don’t leave anything to chance. You never know what buyers look for, so do anything that’s quick and easy. Change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, replace furnace air filters and clean dryer vents.
To learn more about getting the highest price for your home, check out our article “5 of The Best Home Improvements for Resale Value”.