Get Rid of These Deal Breakers Before You Try to Sell Your Home
Contrary to what we see on most home makeover TV shows, when it comes to home design, everyone is not on the same page. One person may walk into a post-war bungalow and fall in love with the original bathroom with pastel pink fixtures and tiles, while the next person touring the house sees it as a deal breaker.
But in the grand scheme of home complaints, decor is one of the least problematic. Here are some examples of obstacles for potential home buyers that you should take care of before putting your home on the market.
Common obstacles for potential home buyers
Unless you’re selling the home as-is at a price that reflects the amount of work needed on the home, it’s generally a good idea to address the biggest issues before putting it on the market. According to a 2022 HomeAdvisor survey , here are some of the most common barriers for home buyers:
Cracked walls or ceilings
Ceilings and walls crack for a number of different reasons . In some cases, they are signs of an underlying structural problem, water damage, or poor workmanship.
In other cases, they are simply the result of natural foundation settlement or expansion and contraction as temperatures change seasonally. Either way, fix the underlying problem or make cosmetic changes to get rid of cracks before putting the house on the market.
External problems
Curb appeal is one thing, but when people see damaged or discolored siding or obvious weatherization problems on part of the home’s exterior, they may just want to walk away.
Noticeable foundation flaws
Even if someone doesn’t know much about home construction, if they can easily spot serious cracks, sagging or other foundation flaws , they are also likely to see a major expense in their future.
The need for a significant number of repairs
If the home is not being sold for renovation, a potential home buyer will not be able to walk through the home and find the few repairs needed.
While they may have some leeway when it comes to homes that clearly haven’t been remodeled in decades, if the home has recently been updated or flipped, shoddy workmanship is a major red flag.
Whether it’s a contractor who cut corners or a DIY project that went wrong, a potential home buyer won’t want to deal with someone else’s mistakes.