While you may be tempted to splurge on a new marble countertop, save your money for other repairs before listing your home.
Most potential buyers are going to hire an inspector before they make the commitment. So, it’s important for you to pass the inspection with flying colors if you want to receive your asking price.
Keep reading to learn more about adding value to a home prior to the inspection!
Adding Value To a Home
If you’re looking to add value to a home that will show in the inspection stage, there are a variety of projects that will help you achieve this.
Here’s how to increase home value for your inspection:
Focus On Functionality
When we think of what adds value to a home, many of us automatically focus on cosmetic improvements.
When we focus on cosmetic improvements, it can be hard to increase equity. This is because each buyer and neighborhood has their own ideas of what makes a house visually more valuable.
Also, trends are always changing when it comes to interior design.
So, rather than shelling out thousands of dollars to replace your countertops, tackle the parts of the home that aren’t as functional. For example, if you have a roof that’s missing shingles, you’ll want to focus on replacing those before putting in hardwood flooring.
During the inspection stage, inspectors are looking at problems with functionality that will leave the new owner with extra repairs to pay for. To be safe, consider hiring your own inspector to point out any functional flaws so you can fix them before selling.
Look for Water Damage
For many of us, the vulnerable areas of the home like the basement or crawl space will attract water.
While some leakage is inevitable, do your best to make the areas safe from moisture. If you take the time to set up a drainage system, this will be an excellent selling point for potential buyers.
Also, check for any mold in the walls or carpet after installing the drainage system. Knowing that the basement is less susceptible to water will tell buyers that your home is a great investment.
Check the Foundation
One of the first aspects of the home that a home inspector will look at is the foundation.
They will check for any cracks that suggest that the foundation is buckling under the weight of the house. If you notice any cracks before you list the house, it would be wise to figure out what the cause is and fix it.
Most homebuyers won’t buy a home if the foundation has issues, so take the time and money to fix these and you’ll see a large return.
Target the Roof
Right after the foundation, the roof is one of the first things that a home inspector will look at.
They’ll do a general check to find any noticeably soft spots, rotting, or shingles missing. Before an inspector looks at the roof, try to fix any damaged areas.
If there are shingles missing, replace them. If there are soft spots under the shingles, replace the wood. If you notice that the soffit or fascia is starting to rot or that there are spots for water or pests to get in, replace or repair it.
Not many buyers are willing to invest in a home that will need costly roof repairs right away, so put in the work yourself to see a larger return.
Make Sure the Electrical System Is Intact
During a home inspection, the inspector will go around the house and check all the outlets.
They’ll want to make sure that the wiring in the house is safe and functional for the new buyer. To make sure that your wiring is up to par, an inspector will use a multimeter to check the outlets.
Multimeters will tell you if the wiring is flawed as well as what the reason for the flaw is. Uncovering any electrical problems with the house before the buyer’s inspector does will give you time to fix the issue.
Don’t skip on fixing electrical issues because it’s fairly inexpensive to fix electrical issues. If a buyer learns about electrical issues, they may turn down the home, ask you to fix them, or offer much less for the home.
Look for Signs of Pest Infestation
Before any buyers hire an inspector, you’ll want to check for pests.
Some of the most common pests are:
- Rodents
- Cockroaches
- Termites
- Ants
Many buyers will walk away from a house immediately if their inspector finds any signs of pests. Not only are many people scared of pests, but most of us are aware of the potential health risks they pose.
For example, rats can carry diseases like hantavirus or Salmonella. Having their droppings all over the home is harmful to the family.
Also, if there are stinging insects like yellow jackets or wasps, they may get in the house, causing concern for family members who are allergic.
So, before listing the house, look for any signs of pests. Common signs are:
- Droppings
- Detached termite wings
- Excessive amounts of dead bugs
- Bees, yellow jackets, or wasps crawling into your soffit
If you notice any type of pest inside or outside of your home, you’ll want to start working with an exterminator as soon as possible. If pests have made their way into the wall, flooring, or attic, it may take the exterminator more than one trip to rid your home of them.
The sooner you start taking action, the sooner you can sell your home.
Are You Ready to Get the Best Offer for Your Home?
With so much competition on the real estate market, you can’t afford to leave functionality issues untouched.
When it comes to adding value to a home, you’ll want to focus more on making the home safe and secure. If you want to hire an inspector to take a look at your home in the Northeast Ohio area before you list it, reach out to us today!