A house is a living thing in some ways and, like our bodies, requires a surprising amount of upkeep to keep it sound and healthy. It is easy to get behind on a few little things that can quickly become big headaches if not attended to. Here are the big offenders that can cost big dollars for Sellers during a sale:
Water Damage
- Roof – We have hail storms here in Northern Colorado and, as a result, a lot of roofs with hail damage. If you suspect damage from a past storm that hasn’t yet been repaired, get your insurance adjustor out to evaluate it right away. You’ll want to have a plan for repair/replacement prior to going Under Contract.
- Gutters – Cleaning out the gutters is not a fun task but is a low-cost way to prevent a slew of water related headaches down the road. As Nike says, Just Do It!
- Caulking – caulk is another low-budget maintenance item that must be maintained regularly. Check your window seals, door frames and any exterior openings such as ducts or vent screens to make sure that they are water tight.
- Paint – a little peeling paint can mean a world of hurt for the wood underneath. In fact, most FHA programs will not finance a house with any amount of visible exterior peeling paint. Scrape, clean and repaint that exterior. You’ll keep the wood happy and be amazed at how much it spruces up the curb appeal.
Heating and Cooling Systems
- Filters – Didn’t you JUST replace these last year? Yes, and yet it needs to be done again. You know that an Inspector will be checking the filters so give them new, fresh ones to be impressed by.
- Servicing – We’ll cover this again in ‘Servicing the Systems’, but make sure your home’s main components have been cared for recently.
Repairs
- If it’s broke, fix it. You might as well address it before it comes across as a required item on an Inspection Report.
We’ll cover this list and a good deal more during a Listing Evaluation Appointment, but feel free to add anything we’ve missed in the comments below.