To Fix or Not to Fix Home Flaws When Listing? That is Every Sellers Question, and RE/MAX Brokers Offer Advice.
Summary
If there is money left in the budget after that, I’ll turn to the smaller concerns, fixes that will help sell the home but won’t make a big difference.” Opinions vary on which types of problems are the most important to address, but three categories that rank near the top of most brokers’ lists are flaws related to mechanical systems, safety and curb appeal.Safety and structural issues should be the first to get attention, contends Janet Mayer of RE/MAX Action in Lisle, Ill. “Things like bad floor boards, holes in the wall or roof damage should be repaired if possible,” she said.The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of more than 2,250 sales associates and 105 independently owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of residential and commercial brokerage services.If there is money left in the budget after that, I’ll turn to the smaller concerns, fixes that will help sell the home but won’t make a big difference.”Opinions vary on which types of problems are the most important to address, but three categories that rank near the top of most brokers’ lists are flaws related to mechanical systems, safety and curb appeal.Safety and structural issues should be the first to get attention, contends Janet Mayer of RE/MAX Action in Lisle, Ill.“Things like bad floor boards, holes in the wall or roof damage should be repaired if possible,” she said.Campos urges her sellers to fix any mechanical or structural issues because “a bad roof or a leaky water heater tend to scare off buyers.”If a home has a serious mechanical or structural issue that the seller can’t afford to fix, Don Budzyn of RE/MAX Hometown Properties in Channahon, Ill., advises obtaining several estimates from reliable contractors so that potential buyers will have a realistic picture of what they’d have to spend to fix the problem.“When you can’t deal with all the flaws in a home before selling, the key is to price the property accordingly because buyers who don’t plan to tear the place down will almost always have a home inspection, and the inspector is going to identify the problems,” Budzyn said.As for problems that deserve priority on a seller’s fix-up list, tackle those that can help make a good first impression, advises Hancock.“You want the home to look appealing, fresh and well maintained, so obvious cosmetic issues should be addressed, whether that means, paint, carpeting or flooring, and don’t ignore odors from either smoking or from pets.The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of more than 2,250 sales associates and 105 independently owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of residential and commercial brokerage services.