If your home is for sale, there may be countless things you’ve done to attract buyers. From de-cluttering to home staging, you’ve been busily preparing for showings and the buyers that attend them. But these sneaky home repairs may be affecting your home’s value, and in turn, sending buyers back out the door. Keep an eye out for these items to protect your investment, regardless of whether it is on the market.
One of the first things buyers see is your front door. That means they’ll see the chipped paint, mismatched hardware, or flimsy material before they see the rest of your house. Don’t let them be discouraged and looking for more disappointment. A new front door is one of the highest cost-recouping updates you can complete.
Regardless of season, landscaping is important. Curb appeal is the very first thing buyers see. You don’t want them to be turned away by piles of leaves, a pathway hidden by weeds, or having to step over fallen limbs.
Making sure your home is well-maintained, from a clean front porch to functioning doorbell and interior lights, is a sign the home is cared for. While you’re at it, make sure the window and door screens are clean and hole-free. Tattered screens will remind buyers of scary movies and dilapidated homes. Squeaky hinges and dead bugs in the light globes will only add to the horror-movie effect. If small items like these are taken care of, buyers won’t be scared of what’s hiding in the basement.
It’s important to remember that paint color is a personal choice. Exterior paint that’s drastically different from the other homes in the neighborhood could turn buyers away. Many home shoppers don’t want to own the only neon-orange house in the county. Interior paint is also key; neutral colors will allow buyers to imagine their own belongings and style in the space.
We get accustomed to our home’s scent, both the good aspects and the bad. Have a diplomatic friend lend their nose to tell you if there’s a lingering odor from your pet’s potty training days, or if they can tell your great-aunt snuck a cigarette in the garage at Thanksgiving. If they can, get scrubbing.
These small home repairs will be a big help in the long run. Whether you’re in the pre-listing stage, ready to sell, or ready to buy, the Terrell Team is here to guide you through the real estate process. We can help you find the perfect home, whether it’s a distressed property, a cozy cabin tucked away in the mountains, or a rental home in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. We love having the Smoky Mountains in our backyard, and bet you will, too.