The Do’s and Don’ts of Home Repairs to Sell Your Home in Washington

Published:
November 27, 2019
Last updated:
April 20, 2022
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Purchasing a home in Washington is a significant investment so it’s important to make necessary repairs and maintain it, that way, if you are planning to sell the home later down the road you can get a high return on your investment. In this blog post, we go over what kind of home repairs are needed in preparation for selling your home, what repairs you can do on your own, and what repairs you should leave up to a professional.

Purchasing a home is a major financial investment so it’s important to make the necessary repairs and upgrades to maintain the condition of your home over time. Then, if the time comes when you want to sell your home you won’t have to make any major or costly improvements on your house all at once and you will hopefully get the value of the home in the sale.

When preparing to sell your home keep the state of the market in mind. In a hot market like Seattle and Bellevue where the demand for homes is high, but the supply is low, making a lot of repairs and updates may not be necessary because there will be a number of interested buyers.

In a slower market, updating your home may be pertinent in getting offers at the price you are looking for. It never hurts to research the competition so going to open houses or looking at home listings online to get an idea of the condition of the homes for sale in your area could be beneficial and help you decide what home repairs you should and shouldn’t do. You can also talk with your selling agent and ask their advice on what repairs could get you the highest value.

To get started we suggest making a list of all the repairs that could be done, and then assessing which are absolutely necessary for function, getting potential buyers interested in your home, and what will increase the home value so you will get a high return on your investment.

When narrowing your list, you’ll want to keep in mind what will be covered in the home inspection during the purchasing process and take care of those repairs first. The most important improvements are typically related to the bathroom and kitchen. A lot of the repairs you will even be able to do yourself, which could save you hundreds of dollars. Other updates may require help from a professional.

We put together a list of Do’s and Don’ts for Home Repairs that you can tackle on your own and some repairs that you should leave to the professionals as you prepare to sell your home. Read on to learn more!

Exterior Repairs For Selling Your Home in Washington

Do mow the lawn, pull any weeds and make sure the landscaping looks clean. You could even plant flowers to add a pop of color. Remember that the exterior of the home is the first impression that potential homebuyers will have and you want to make sure that it is a good one.

Don’t make repairs to the roof of the home on your own. The roof is something that will be included in the home inspection so it’s important that it doesn’t leak or have water damage. But these repairs should be left up to a professional.

Don’t replace windows yourself. Upgrading to energy efficient windows adds value to your home and helps you save your heating bill; however, it could be a daunting task to do on your own.

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Interior Repairs For Selling Your Home in Washington

Do patch up holes or cracks in the walls. This is something that may be done on your own with some time and spackle.

Don’t ignore the cause of the cracks or holes in the walls. If you suspect the cause of the cracks could be from water damage, mildew, or the house frame from drying out, you may want to call a professional to assess the issue. Water damage will be something that will be looked for in the home inspection so the earlier it is taken care of the better.

Do paint any stained or blemished walls. This is an easy and cheap fix that you can do on your own. And you would be amazed how a fresh coat of paint can freshen the look of a room. Be sure to use neutral colors, trendy colors may be a turn-off to buyers.

Do refinish hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are an attractive characteristic to a homebuyer so make sure you take care of the floors while you are living in the home.

Don’t replace flooring or worn or stained carpet by yourself. Installing new flooring is a valuable addition to a home, but could be a tedious task so it’s best to leave it up to a pro.

Kitchen and Bathroom Repairs For Selling Your Home in Washington

Do fix any leaky faucets and make sure all plumbing systems are working properly. It’s also important to take care of regularly so you are not surprised when a small repair becomes a large one. Plumbing is also something that the home inspector will be taking a look at.

Don’t take on too much when trying to repair any plumbing issues. If major repairs are necessary, you may need to hire a professional

Do upgrade or fix any appliances in the kitchen or bathroom. Installing new light fixtures or sinks, or refinishing cabinets is something that you could most likely do yourself depending on your confidence in handy work. However, when it comes to installing higher ticket items like stoves, refrigerators, or dishwashers, leave that to the professionals.

Finishing Touches to Attract Potential Buyers to Your Home

Do make sure that everything functions properly and safely. For instance, make sure that the garage door, all door knobs, and locks work. You may have become used to a loose hand railing, or rickety stair or floor board, but that could be a safety concern, especially if interested home buyers who are elderly or have children, so make sure these items are properly secured. You can most likely finish these tasks yourself.

Do keep décor and clutter in mind when you are ready to show your home to potential buyers. Remembering to remove any photos and items with political affiliations is a smart thing to do when trying to sell your home because the homebuyer needs are able to see themselves in the home. Removing any clutter and organizing your belongings can leave a good impression with a potential home buyer.

To come to a conclusion, when you are preparing to sell your home focus on functionality by making sure everything works properly. Major or complete renovations are not necessary when trying to sell your home and a complete overhaul isn’t always going to be a good return on your investment for your home in Seattle or Bellevue. Work with your agent to determine what home repairs are necessary.

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Ready For Your Next Home?

When you’re ready to refinance or purchase your next home, get in touch with the experts at Sammamish Mortgage. We’ve been in the business of providing mortgage programs to borrowers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado since 1992, and we’d love the opportunity to help you too. Get in touch with Sammamish Mortgage today!

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