Some Home Repairs That Pay Back When You Sell

Planning on listing your home for sale soon?  Then it’s time to take stock of needed repairs or upgrades.  Making repairs and improvements before you sell your home can be a good thing, but it depends on the repairs.  Some things make good economic sense to fix, while others are better left alone.  It’s a good idea to do a little homework before you have the work done, because you want to be able to get your money back when the time comes to sell, not lose out on it.

The Truth About Home Remodeling and ROI

There have been numerous studies done on the return on investment (ROI) for many different home improvement projects that are done. Some deliver a good return, while others can be money wasters.  When it comes to a home office, expect less than half your money back. For a $50,000 kitchen remodel, you can get 75% of that money back. Some projects may surprise you – for instance, get the most back out of your investment with the right front door, adding value to your home with a 97% return.  Replacing the siding is another project that delivers a high return as well.

Make sure to put yourself in the buyers’ shoes and think of things that might make them walk away from the deal. If you’ve got major problems such as windows that don’t work or a leaky roof, these things have to be fixed.  Left untended, such problems can mean you’ll get a much lower selling price than the cost of the repairs.  For instance, a needed $8,000 roof replacement might translate into an offer $10,000 under what you were asking, since the buyers know they will have to have the work done.

Higher Return Home Fixes

Keep in mind that there are projects that may not add value but will certainly make your home easier to sell because it’s more attractive to buyers.  You may have noticed that there are quite a few homes for sale these days, which means you’ve got lots of competition.  So presenting your home in the best light means you’re more likely to get the price you want.  That’s where spending a little to fix it up can mean a a higher return, because it means a faster sale.

• Fix up the outside of the home by cleaning up, washing down the house and adding a new coat of paint where it is needed the most. You do not want them to see the house on the outside and decide they do not want it because of the state it is in.  These things don’t cost much, but they will make your home look much more attractive.
• Consider doing small fixes throughout the kitchen first. This is the major selling point of the home. You can change out fixtures and hardware to make it look nicer, but it’s not an area you should spend $50,000 to remodel. Painting the kitchen might even help brighten it up. The counter tops should be completely cleaned in this area as well.  If your cabinets are old, you can give them a new look with a coat of semi-gloss enamel.  Painted cabinets are very trendy right now.  And new cabinet pulls and knobs can really make a difference.
• Consider the bathrooms and make sure that they are as clean as they can be.  A dingy or dirty bathroom is a major turnoff for prospective home buyers.  You may want to consider upgrading your fixtures if yours are old and discolored.  Here’s another area where a fresh coat of paint and some new light fixtures could really give your home’s appeal a boost.
• Make sure to check all of the windows and replace any of them that are broken or are in desperate need of repair. You cannot easily sell a home if the windows are not in good condition.
• Take care of that ‘honey do’ repair list that you’ve been putting off.  That includes leaky faucets, doors that stick, etc.

Your home is a large investment, and you want to make sure that it is ready to sell when the time comes. This means being able to find someone that can come in and help with all of the exterior repairs and replacements. Here at Window Outfitters, we are able to do that for you and so much more.

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.