The to-do list when selling a property can be daunting and skipping the repair list can be tempting – after all, will a buyer really be worried about a broken cupboard door or a dripping tap?
Unfortunately, they may. Such repairs might be minor but can suggest that maintenance hasn’t been high on the priority list. That can set alarm bells ringing for buyers that bigger issues might be lurking. That could risk your final selling price and your chance of attracting potential buyers in the first place.
But if that to-do list has been hanging around for a while, it can be hard to know where to start.
Fix the most urgent first
There are two extremes to the repair jobs you should tackle pre-sale. Urgent problems need sorting fast, since they could be the most damaging to your sale. This includes anything involving roofs and gutters.
In a recent study two-thirds of buyers said that they would cut their offers if they noticed visible roof or gutter damage, most often because they panic about costly repairs. Yet, such fixes aren’t necessarily expensive if leaks are not evident. Loose roof tiles and broken guttering can be easily replaced, for example.
Electrical problems can also unnecessarily panic buyers. A flickering light could, for example, be indicative of a wider wiring issue simply signs of an expiring bulb. Easy fixes will stop potential buyers from suspecting the worst.
Damp and mould
Damp and mould issues must also be addressed quickly since they represent a health risk. However, understanding the root cause is essential to stop it from coming back. Mould, for example, could simply be caused by condensation from poor habits that can be altered – such as cooking with lids off, not running extractor fans, blocking window vents or drying washing inside. But potential buyers will think the worst.
Nice-to-haves
Beyond the must-do fixes are the nice-to-have fixes. Opinion is often divided on how much effort you should put into painting a property pre-sale. However, a quick coat of paint to hide bold, feature walls or to freshen up paintwork can be helpful – just remember the new buyer may paint straight over it.
Freshen up bathrooms
A similar approach can be taken in bathrooms. Replace anything that’s broken, but upgrading to a new suite could be money wasted since you are unlikely to fit something that suits the new owner’s tastes or needs.
Instead, a deep clean and gentle updating is a far more economical repair. Tackle easy fixes that will update the bathroom for little expense, such as a new shower head or a new toilet seat if the old one is broken or stained. Don’t underestimate the restorative powers of deep cleaning grouting, replacing sealant and scrubbing away limescale, either. With a little elbow grease, even a 20-year-old bathroom can look like new.
Tidy up kitchens
The same light touch should be implemented in the kitchen. Consider cheap, easy fixes – such as updating cupboard handles rather than replacing entire units or doors. Once again buyers are likely to be more impressed by something that’s clean and functional than by something that’s new and shiny but not to their taste.
Outside repairs
Outside, repairs should also focus on the obvious – making space secure and tidy. A coat of paint could smarten up otherwise tired fencing while even just cutting the lawn will be transformational.
Be transparent about bigger issues
If bigger repairs come to light, or are already evident, then it’s better to be transparent with your buyer to see if it’s something you want to tackle pre-sale or whether you will adjust your asking price to compensate.
Proctors is an independent network of individual estate agent businesses with branches in Beckenham, Bromley, Park Langley, Petts Wood, Shirley and West Wickham. We’ve been buying, selling and letting in these areas since 1946. Get in touch to find out how we can help you with your property requirements.