Selling your home? Best not to do these fixes

Renovations are part and parcel of the home selling process. However, not all repairs and maintenance are equal – some will boost the asking price of your house, while others are completely unnecessary. Some may even bring down the value of your Methow Valley or Winthrop real estate property. Learn which renovations to avoid as you ready your home for sale.

Cosmetic hairline cracks

Hairline cracks are commonly observed in concrete. Have your property evaluated prior to listing to confirm if the cracks are merely cosmetic or caused by a serious underlying issue. If cosmetic, there’s really no need to fix them – a simple application of sealant will usually be enough to cover up these flaws.

Electrical fixtures

Anything related to your home’s electrical system can sound immediately serious, but sometimes, a loose outlet may only need to have its screws or contact points tightened to return it to working order. In the same manner, sometimes all it takes to fix a faulty switch is a light spray of lubricant or cleaner for it to function properly. It pays to ask an electrician about what can be done about these relatively minor issues before you go out and replace them.

Vanity upgrades

It can be tempting to inject your home with a bit of your own personality before selling it off, such as painting the rooms in your favorite color, installing trendy fixtures, planting your favorite plants in the garden, etc. Making your home too personalized can negatively impact how fast and for how much your home will sell. Keep your repairs and updates practical, and you increase the likelihood of selling your home faster and at a higher price.

Partial updates

Perhaps some of the tiles on your flooring have come loose. Or maybe your roof is missing a few shingles. Unless you’re willing to overhaul your entire roof and flooring, it’s best to let these issues be. Far from a complete deal breaker, these minor hitches won’t likely affect your price tag as long as you value your home realistically.

Carpets

Although carpets are a comfy feature to have in your home, most homebuyers are wary of them because they’re seen as a dirt magnet. Carpet colors and textures also depend on individual preferences, and any quirky personal choices could turn off potential buyers. If your carpets are looking a little worse for wear, it’s wiser to rip them out rather than replace them. You might want to peek into what’s below that carpet. If they’re hardwood floors, see if they can be buffed to their former glory (some experts say hardwood floors have the potential to increase your home’s value by double digit percentage points). You can also opt to replace your carpet with fuss-free engineered wood.

Wallpaper

Wallpapers can be a dominating feature in any room, which may not necessarily be a good thing. Any minor damage in the paper can stick out like a sore thumb. Wallpapers can also be difficult to remove. Many homebuyers view wallpaper as problematic, so before you put your home on the market, consider whether it’s better to strip your walls and paint them a neutral color instead.

Need more tips about selling off your Winthrop or Methow Valley real estate property? Work with top Winthrop Realtors today! Our team at Coldwell Banker Lake Chelan Properties will be happy to help you find the best among available single-family homes in Winthrop and surrounding area.

Get in touch with us at 509.996.2121, or send an email to info(at)cbwinthrop(dotted)com. You can also leave us a message here.