Space Out Your Home Repairs Before You Sell

It’s so hard when sellers rush to make big repairs and updates before selling.

The rush wore them out. I had a couple of sellers this summer who made massive efforts to clean up, repair, and update their homes before they put them on the market. The updates and repairs were needed and helpful, but they were exhausted. They probably took a couple of shortcuts they wouldn’t have taken if they’d been making those repairs during their homeownership. They also didn’t get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

One seller had no regrets. I had a seller tell me just this week that even though she missed the height of our market last year in our area, she didn’t regret it. She got to actually live in this beautiful home for the last year and see how her dream played out.

Don’t save the updates for buyers. I’ve heard more than one spouse complain that their partner wouldn’t do those repairs and updates while they lived in the house, but did them to sell.

Talk about it before you list. As part of your regular conversations about home maintenance, budget, and repairs, make sure you also talk about selling. What are you going to have to change and make a little stronger before you decide to sell, in a couple of years, in 5 years, in 10 years? What should you do along the way so the process is easier at the end and you enjoy it at the same time?

Check the places you forget. Does it need paint, carpet, cabinets? Do you want to add air conditioning? Does it need a new roof? How long has it been since you looked down in your crawl space and up in your attic to see whether you have any mold or mildew? There’s a lot of it in our area. Also look for rodents running around and ripping apart your insulation.

A fresh home is worth enjoying. Do yourself a favor. Space out your repairs and your updates. Enjoy the joy of living in a fresh home that’s been well cared for and updated along the way. When it comes time to sell, you’ll be ready instead of overwhelmed.

A plan now saves effort later. That’s where I can help. Even if you’re thinking 5 years down the road, I’m happy to walk through your home with you. We’ll discuss what needs repair, what can wait, and what doesn’t need to be done at all. I can give you a simple plan for where you want to go, because a little planning now can save you a whole lot of effort later. Selling your home shouldn’t start with a mad dash to the finish line.

If you need any other real estate help, call us at 425-422-7372, email us at Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com, or visit sandyandcompanyvideos.com, and let us know how we can help. I’d love to walk through your home with you long before you need it to be ready.