Common Maintenance Pitfalls When Selling a Home

Category Advice

Common Maintenance Pitfalls When Selling a Home

Selling property is costly as it is! It can be highly tempting to turn a blind eye to any maintenance problems that could add to your expenses. The reality is, however, that you could end up with bigger problems than a couple of fixes to your property if you don't inform your buyer of its full condition. 

Maintenance Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

After inspection of your property - which is standard procedure during the sale process - you should have a clear understanding of any maintenance issues that need your attention. 

Here are some common mistakes that sellers make when handling these issues: 

Hiding major maintenance issues

Whether you've done a pre-inspection or not - your buyer will likely insist on their own inspection, upon which any and all problems on your property will be revealed. Being

unforthcoming about these problems will make it that much more difficult to find a buyer. You also face potential lawsuits for not disclosing necessary repairs before selling.

Our advice would be to either get the problems fixed and seller-ready, or be transparent about the issues and price your property below market value so there is room for your buyer to make the repairs themselves. 

Cutting costs with amateur maintenance workers 

Although it might be lighter on your bank account in the long run, hiring the most affordable technician or handyman may not be in your best interest. 

A skilled and experienced maintenance worker will ensure a fix that lasts, while an amateur will do quick fixes that often result in further damage in the future. 

Not preparing your property for a sale

Buyers very often want a clean, blank slate that allows them to envision their potential future in your property. You would be pouring money down the drain by choosing to not prepare your property for serious buyers. 

Being prepared could mean painting your house neutral, replacing doorknobs, giving the property a deep-clean, or simply staging the furniture you might still have in your house. 

Very often, addressing your maintenance responsibilities and even going the extra mile to ensure your property is ready to be sold, could benefit you the most, cost you less in the long-run, or put more money in your pocket from a competitive sale. 

Reach out to SAproperty.com if your property is ready to be sold!

Author: Marketing