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Is Your Home Physically Fit?
To give your home a competitive edge when
it's time to sell, make sure it is in good physical
condition. This not only makes your home more
attractive and desirable, it also simplifies the
negotiation process when the time comes for the
buyer's pre-purchase inspection.
According to home inspection experts,
approximately half the resale homes in the market
today have at least one significant defect. Routine
maintenance is the best way to prevent major, costly
problems from developing in the first place. If you
have been putting off those repairs, now is the time
to make them.
A Home Seller's Check List
Over the years, ASHI has identified a list
of common problems that typically appear on buyer's
home inspection reports. Early correction of these
problems can increase a home's appeal and its
selling price. It also sets the stage for a
favorable home inspection report for the buyer, and
thereby helps to expedite the sale. The following
6-point checklist can help you achieve these
marketing goals. *(Also see
Home Buyer Checklist).
1. CHECK THE MAJOR SYSTEMS
After size, style, and location, a home buyer's
primary concern is the condition of the home's basic
structure and major mechanical systems. Most buyers
do not want to invest a great deal of money
correcting problems in such critical areas.
A pre-listing home inspection of the visible and
accessible home components can reveal most of these
problems, and include recommended repairs, if
needed, on the following major items:
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Roof structure and covering
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Foundation, basement, and/or crawl space
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Central heating and air conditioning systems
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Electrical system
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Plumbing system
2. MAKE MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS
A number of maintenance improvements are
relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet they
can substantially improve a home's appearance,
efficiency, and comfort. A professional home
inspector may make helpful maintenance suggestions,
such as:
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Trim trees and shrubs which touch or
overhang the house
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Apply new caulking and weather stripping as
needed around windows and doors
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Clean gutters of debris and leaves; repair
or replace cracked or broken gutters,
downspouts, and extensions to ensure proper
drainage
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Replace bathroom caulk or grouting where
necessary to prevent seepage and improve
appearance
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Ventilate closed basements and crawl spaces,
or install a dehumidifier, to prevent excessive
moisture build-up
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Regrade soil around the foundation, as
needed to keep water away from the house
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Replace dirty filters in the heating and air
conditioning systems
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Have the heating and air conditioning
systems professionally serviced
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Have chimneys professionally cleaned, and
install chimney hoods or caps as needed
3. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
Fixing even minor items can go a long way toward
improving that important first impression of our
home. Here are some typical improvements which might
be suggested by the home inspector's findings:
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Repair leaky faucets
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Tighten loose doorknobs
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Replace damaged screens
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Replace broken panes of glass
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Replace burned-out light bulbs
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Secure loose railings
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Repair and coat driveway
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Patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings,
then repaint
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Repair peeling wallpaper
4. TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Home inspectors also pay attention to items
relating to protecting the home and its occupants
from danger. They can alert you to important safety
precautions which home buyers will appreciate, such
as:
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Installing smoke detectors on each level
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Installing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
(GFCI's) in "wet" areas, such as kitchen
counters tops, bathrooms, and exterior outlets
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Keeping flammable products away from
heaters, water heaters, and fireplaces
5. MAKE COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS
An attractive, clean, and neat home will appeal
to a buyer's emotions. In addition to making repairs
such as those listed above, remember to:
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Keep the lawn mowed and the house neat
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Clean the exterior walls and trim; repaint
if necessary
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Open windows shades and curtains to create a
bright, inviting atmosphere
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Keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, since
buyers scrutinize these areas
6. PREPARE FOR THE BUYER'S INSPECTION
It's a good idea to assemble in advance various
house records that can be used to answer questions
from buyers and home inspectors. The
Home Buyer Checklist identifies some of the
important factors to consider when choosing a home.
In addition to an affordable sales price, they will
also want to be sure that the neighborhood and house
meet the needs of their family. |