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WHICH REPAIRS SHOULD YOU MAKE BEFORE THE SALE?
If you are preparing to place your home on the market, it's inevitable that you'll need a couple of minor reapirs and slight improvements before that "For Sale" sign goes up.
Practical projects like a fresh coat of paint require little time or money but can make your home more attractive--and more attractive homes are likely to sell faster and for more money. If you own a condo in Boston and are llooking for a painter contact Ford Realty our painters are very competitive in their pricing.
But what if an item needs repair, something which doesn't jeopardize anyone's health or safety-- a problem of the "out of sight, out of mind" variety. Should you simply disclose it and leave the buyer to deal with the problem? Or should you fix it before placing your home or condo on the market?
Before making any decisions, consider that repairing the problem could result in a higher sales price. It's sweet music to any buyer's ears to hear the terms "new" or "just replaced" as they walk through a home or a condo.
Think of it this way: A move-up buyer or transferee has a good idea of what it takes to operate a home. The goal here is to move in with the fewest costs and headacres, so making repairs in advance is a big selling point.
For a first-timer buyers the situation is somewhat different. First-time buyers also want to reduce both headaches and costs where possible, but there is another issue as well: Buying a first time home is a big step, financially and psychologically. Adding another cost or problem to a list of general concerns might be a deal-breaker, one more reason not to buy.
Another point to consider: Many if not most home sales today include the use of a home inspection clause. Depending on how it is wriiten, this clause can allow buyers to terminate a contract if the inpection is not "satisfactory" to them or if certain repairs are not completed.
When considering minor aesthetic improvemnts, your decision should depend on local market conditions.
The bottom line: Which repairs and improvements should you make to get top dollar? Every home is different, so let's get together and see what's best in today's marketplace.
John Ford
Realty Times Staff. | 
