Over 6 million homes sold in the U.S. in 2016, with that number expected to rise in 2019. If you’re selling your home, you want the best price possible. Do more than stick a “for sale” sign on the property.
Make your home turnkey so buyers offer you the full asking price.
How do you know what buyers will ask for?
Get a home inspection before you put your house on the market! Then you’ll be ahead of the curve. Make the most important fixes so they’re non-issues when buyers look at your home.
Read on for 10 helpful home inspection tips for sellers.
1. Radon
If your house is on soil with high concentrations of uranium, you may have radon gas in your home. Uranium releases radon when it’s breaking down. Radon is an odorless gas.
Radon causes lung cancer. In homes that are well sealed against cold winter weather, its presence is a big concern.
The good news is, it’s easy to treat and not too expensive. Buy a radon test kit at any home improvement store for as little $10. If the kit reveals radon higher than 4 picocuries per liter of air, then you’ll need to fix the problem.
Find a radon expert near you and expect to pay around $1,000 to $1,500 for remediation.
2. Mold
Mold is a deal breaker for lots of buyers. If there’s water hiding in your basement or attic, mold might be hiding there too. Lots of people are allergic to mold, and they won’t consider buying a house that tests positive for it.
Black mold is an especially big problem. And even though mold isn’t toxic, it carries a stigma. It does make some people sick.
Check the attic and basement or crawl space. If there’s any moisture or water, get to the source of the problem. Make sure there’s no mold in the bathrooms or kitchen.
If your home smells musty or moldy, you’ll need to determine the source and fix it before you put the house on the market. If a buyer gets a whiff of mold, she won’t make an offer on your home.
3. Bug Infestation
Do you have pests? If a buyer learns of termite infestation, that’s another deal breaker. Have an expert pest control company check for termites before it’s an issue for a buyer.
A regular home inspection will turn up termite issues if you have them. Rodents, such as mice, also make it tough to sell. It’s better to find these problems and fix them before you try to sell so they’re not a negotiation point.
4. Plumbing
There’s nothing more aggravating than a shower that barely sprays water or leaking toilets. A home inspection reveals these issues. An inspector also checks any accessible pipes that run into and throughout the home.
5. Heating
Your HVAC system is another big point for potential buyers. Replacement systems cost between $3,000 – $10,000 depending on the size of the home. Most systems last a long time, at least 20 years.
If your system is at the end of its lifespan, consider whether it’s worth replacing. It may not be the best investment. Your real estate agent will have a good idea of whether it’s worth the cost.
6. Windows
If your house is old and the windows have never been upgraded, that could be a problem for some buyers. Newer windows are better insulated, saving on utility bills.
It’s expensive to replace all the windows in a home, but an inspection reveals whether old windows are a problem.
7. Electrical Panels
It’s important that the electric in the home is safe and up to code. A faulty electrical system can cause a fire. Today’s buyers are tech savvy. They’re looking for a system new enough to handle the heavy electrical load.
An inspection reveals any major problems in the electrical system. At the least, have these fixed. It may be worth the investment to upgrade the whole system.
8. Roof Issues
Buyers always take the age and condition of the roof into account before making an offer. If there are any signs of a leak, it could be a deal breaker. If the roof is nearing its upper age limit, a buyer may ask for a replacement as part of the deal.
Most roofs with architectural tiles last about 30 years. If your roof is old and not in great shape, it’s a good idea to replace it before you put your house on the market. A house with a new roof sells much quicker than a house with an old worn roof.
9. Foundation Problems
A faulty foundation almost always causes buyers to back out of a deal. Foundation issues are expensive to fix. Most buyers don’t want to deal with moving into a new place and fixing such a major part of the house.
Make sure the foundation is strong. If a problem is discovered, you’ll have to disclose it. Fixing the foundation is a priority if you want to sell your house.
10. Hire a Professional
When it comes to a home inspection, use a professional. Use an inspector that’s an American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Associate. This means they adhere to ASHI’s standards and code of ethics.
When it comes to your home, you want someone who knows what they’re doing and abides by a set of rules. An ASHI Associate has the right training to identify potential problems.
Additionally, an ASHI Associate won’t exaggerate problems or talk you into unnecessary repairs. They also have to attend 20 hours of ongoing training per year.
If the roof inspector tells you he’ll inspect your home at a discounted rate, don’t be lured by the savings.
Home Inspection Tips for Sellers
Are you ready to sell your home? Armed with these home inspection tips for sellers, you’re ahead of the game. A pre-sale home inspection isn’t required, but it’s a great idea and could save you time and money.
Buyers look for any points of negotiation to lower the asking price. Armed with knowledge from an inspection, you’ll be ahead of the buyers.