Checking Your Home For Damage Before Selling
Buying and selling homes can be a tedious process. Just like a buyer wants a good, stress-free place to live, sellers also want to get the best price for their home. Real estate negotiation is common, so there are certain things sellers should take into consideration before they list their house.
Whether your house was in use or not, it can be exposed to certain damages that a buyer may notice during the home inspection process. Sellers make the crucial mistake of letting problems with their homes slide, not realizing that a buyer will later use these issues to haggle for a lower price. Therefore, it is important that sellers should check their homes for damage before selling.
This guide will help you inspect your home for damages to get the best price possible.
Checking home for Damages
If you were living in this house prior to selling it, you might already know about a lot of its issues. However, if you’re unsure, you should get a professional inspection done so that your buyer won’t make unfair demands, tilting the odds in their favor. You should get home repairs done yourself so that you’re able to get a larger pool of buyers and a fair sale price.
Faulty HVAC System
It is important that you check your HVAC system before you list your house. A brand new HVAC system will cost a few thousand dollars, so make sure you take care of this prior to selling. Don’t ignore this, as HVAC issues will come up during a buyer’s home inspection.
The good news is that in the event that there is an issue with your HVAC system, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to replace it. You can simply hire an HVAC technician to restore the system so that it provides adequate cooling, heating and ventilation to residents.
Roof Issues
A sound roof is essential to keep your home and its inhabitants safe. When a buyer is looking for a house, the first thing they will check is the roof, so you should inspect it and repair if needed ahead of time. One of the first signs of a faulty roof is if you notice roof leaks, which should be tended to in a timely manner.
Problems with your roof include clogged roof gutters, which will cause water to run off the roof and then accumulate on the edges. This will result in water damage to the roof shingles. Moreover, weather damage can also affect the roof, and this may cause water to seep inside the house. This may cause discoloration on your ceiling and walls, which also incurs the risk of mold. Get your roof inspected and repaired before selling your house.
Plumbing Faults
The plumbing system of the house needs to be in working condition or it will depreciate the value of your home. The first sign of a faulty plumbing system is faucet leaks that may also cause standing water in your toilet that will lead to mold growth at some point.
Leaky faucets or an overflowing toilet may be a result of clogged drains or worn-out parts. For this, you should hire a professional plumber to solve these problems so that there is no standing water puddle when prospective buyers come to inspect and tour your home. This may cause buyers to walk away from a deal or push for a lower sale price.
Mold Growth
Mold is a serious problem in homes that sellers should keep an eye out for. Mold grows wherever there is a prolonged presence of moisture and humidity, so you’re likely to find it in basements, bathrooms and other crevices of the house. The presence of mold can be detected by a distinct, musty odor inside the house.
Mold spores spread very quickly, so you should hire a professional for mold removal and remediation services. If there is mold in the house, buyers will likely back out from finalizing the deal as mold releases toxins that are harmful to health.
Poor Drainage
The drainage system in your home should carry water away from your house to street gutters. If your drainage system fails to do so, it will result in standing water outside your house, which may also seep into your basement. This happens when your rain gutters are clogged with debris. Make sure your gutters are clean so that they are able to perform their job.
The first sign of a compromised drainage system includes spongy soil around your home. If you notice this, you should get in touch with a professional or work towards re-grading your lawn if the problem is due to a badly sloped yard.
Home Restoration
If you notice any of the issues above in the home that you’re planning to sell, you should avail of home restoration services. Otherwise, buyers may walk away from closing a deal or haggle for a much lower price than you were expecting.
You can contact 911 Restoration of Flint. We offer a plethora of services for homes, including disaster restoration, mold growth and mold inspection, water damage restoration and sanitization and disinfection for a clean, error-free home that will attract a larger pool of buyers.
