August 8th 2022

When buyers walk into a home, they want to know it’s been well-maintained.  Corroded air-conditioning vents, loose hinges on cabinets, and leaky faucets lead buyers to think, "If the seller can’t keep these things up, what big things are lurking behind the walls that haven’t been taken care of?"

As a seller, you should already know that legally, you can’t hide any major problems with the house. So if your home needs some attention, don’t slap on a quick fix—you’re not fooling anybody, and you may just send potential buyers straight back out the door.

Sellers have to be careful not to cover up problems.  The selling experience will be smoother and more profitable by fixing the problem.

Here’s how to tackle eight common repairs properly to swing the odds in your favor.

1. A fresh coat of paint on one room’s ceiling

The issue: A stained ceiling, possibly from a leak

When inspectors see cans of new stain-killing primers in the garage, they know that something happened.

Do this instead: If you paint over a stain without making sure you don’t have an active leak, that stain can reappear in a month, so bring in a professional who can rule out a leaky roof or some other problem.

2. Bathroom water is shut off

The issue: Your toilet runs constantly

Do this instead: The most common failure is the flapper in the toilet tank. There may be debris caught under it, preventing it from closing, and flappers wear out and need to be replaced from time to time. This is an inexpensive repair that any handy person can do.

3. Newly painted trim

The issue: Wooden window frames past their prime

A lot of times people paint over rotten wood, and think nobody’s going to see that, but inspectors can tell that it’s rotting. They can simply put a fingernail on the trim to see if it goes through the wood.

Do this instead: Pull out the rotten trim and replace it.

4. Lights are off in just one room

Issue: Flickering lights in that room

Do this instead: Electrical issues can be dangerous, so if you’ve tried the lightbulb in another fixture and it works, then there may not be power going to the light.

Pick up an inexpensive voltage tester, which lights up when electricity is present at the switch and fixture, he suggests. A handy homeowner may be able to trace the problem, but to be safe, call an electrician to make sure the wiring is correct.

Old wiring can be a concern to some buyers, so sellers are better off just fixing it ahead of time.

5. Small space heaters or air conditioners set up

Issue: Some rooms are too cold or too warm

If a home has central air conditioning, but in one room you see an additional AC unit sitting there, buyers are going to wonder why it’s not working.

Do this instead: If you have a forced-air furnace, check to make sure the furnace filter, blower fan, ductwork, and grills are clean.

Sometimes debris clogs the system, and the further the cold room is away from the furnace, the harder it is to get heat.  If you have radiators or baseboard units, make sure they’re clean and not obstructed.

If the colder rooms are over an unconditioned space like a garage, then there may be poor insulation in that room, which will make the room harder to heat and cool.  A home inspector who uses an infrared camera should be able to find the problem.

6. Dehumidifier and air freshener in place

Issue: A bad smell in a damp room

It raises an inspector's radar when they see or smell water concerns, because in any damp climate mold and mildew are not ucommon (albeit fixable) concerns. 

Do this instead: There’s typically a root cause for a room being damp, so you want to correct the cause, not put a Band-Aid on it.  If there’s moisture getting in the house, that moisture is generally coming from outside. Figure out how to prevent water from getting in, not how to handle it after it gets in.

7. Plastic wrap taped across every window

Issue: Old, drafty windows

Do this instead: Sealing the areas around the windows would be a good alternative to plastic wrap.  Try buying caulk in rope form, which can be molded to fit around large openings and cracks.  That’ll form an airtight seal, which will help keep drafts out.

8. Strategically placed planters or shrubs

Issue: Puddles of water near your foundation

Do this instead: Water should always drain away from your foundation, notes Lesh, so if it’s collecting against your house, this needs to be corrected.

Ask a professional why this is happening: "Is the land sloping toward the house, which means water might eventually run into the lower level? Are the gutters clogged so water is pouring over the top and landing alongside the foundation?”

Taking the time now to fix things properly instead of rushing through a shoddy half-repair will pay off in the long run.

When you’re selling a home and want multiple offers with the highest sold price possible, everything has to look sound or at least be disclosed if their are remaining concerns.  If you want to interest buyers and get the most money for your home, get it in the best shape you can. If don’t you want to do all the repairs and the cleaning, then hire someone to come in and take care of it for you!