When you are getting ready to sell your home, you are already thinking about how to make sure it appears in its best light. You may be considering things like a fresh coat of paint or doing some minor repairs. But beyond a minor facelift, you should also be looking out for features of your home that may hurt its resale value and how you can address them.
Niche Features
Remember when you just had to install that wet bar in the basement? Or those pocket doors in the dining room that you thought would be a great idea? Niche home features like these could actually hurt your resale value. The reason for this is that these features have a limited rather than broad appeal. Some homebuyers may see niche features that you had built or installed in your house as a hassle because they are things buyers would want to remove. If you sense you may have a feature in your home that is too niche to have wide appeal, you may want to consider proactively removing it yourself.
Outdated Style
If you have a kitchen that looks like it belongs in the year 2000 or earlier then you may be in trouble. Most home buyers want to see updated spaces, particularly kitchens and bathrooms, the most renovated rooms in any home. If aspects of your home have gone out of style, home renovations can add value back. Something as simple as updating appliances can go a long way as buyers will be pleased to not have to deal with this expense and hassle. Updates to finishes in the bathroom, even if it's simple changes to hardware will make it easier for potential buyers to see themselves living there.
Deferred Maintenance
If you have not serviced your air conditioner in years or thought about how old your hot water heater is, now is the time. Deferred maintenance can hurt the resale value of your house because it can lead to costly repairs for the buyer. Lucky for you, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes a handy checklist of home maintenance items you should be keeping up with. Look for these things in your house that may need repairs like leaking plumbing, outdated electrical systems, cracked walkways or driveways, and any other wood or concrete damage.
The process of selling your home can be stressful, but it will be less anxiety-inducing if you know that you have done all you can to make sure your house shines. Be sure to also check that your roof is in top shape and make repairs or replace it as needed. Don’t forget landscaping either, well-maintained landscaping creates good curb appeal that buyers will be looking for.
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