Top 5 Things That Will Cost You When Selling Your Home
Making your house a home really is a lot of fun! It’s so rewarding to find the perfect paint color or area rug after months, even years, of searching for it. It’s incredible how one piece can sometimes bring together a whole room and make it feel complete. This is the fun and sexy side of homeownership!
The not-so-fun and way less sexy side is that of maintenance and resale. But as your trusted St. Louis real estate agent, I have to ask you to think about these things, no? What kind of pal would I be if I didn’t? When it comes to selling your St. Louis home, your goal will very likely be to get as much money out of it as you possibly can, which will come down to two very important things.
📸 How polished will the home look in photographs? This is the beginning of the selling process. The buyer’s experience begins online which is where they first have an opportunity to connect emotionally with your home. My goal as your agent is to create a brand experience for them. The outside should look as nice as the inside so the brand feels cohesive. The 2nd floor should feel as finished as the first floor. Don’t worry though, I’ve got you covered here. My team will walk you through what needs to be done (if anything), but in the meantime, I have some tips about paint and wallpaper.
🛠️ How well-maintained is the home? This is where I see a lot of homeowners stumble a bit. Neglecting to properly maintain something for a few hundred dollars can end up costing you thousands when it’s time to sell, especially if the market isn’t as strong when you do. There are a few costly things that consistently show up in home inspection reports and they’re usually avoidable if you’re proactive. Getting in front of the maintenance on them might mean keeping thousands of dollars in your pocket and helping you avoid surprises during the selling process.
Top 5 Things That Can Cost You
1. Neglecting the Sewer Lateral
Homeowners often forget or underestimate the sewer lateral, the underground pipe that connects a property to the public sewer system. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Over time, tree roots, debris, and general wear and tear can cause blockages, cracks, or collapsed pipe sections, leading to costly repairs. The average sewer lateral repair is around $5,000 but I’ve seen them as high as $15,000 and they’re getting more expensive every day. It’s recommended that homeowners cable their lateral every other year.
Cabling involves passing a rotating cutter through the pipe which removes tree roots and debris that may have become lodged. This simple and inexpensive (~$175) maintenance routine can help prevent expensive repairs when selling your St. Louis home. Please put it on your calendar today!
2. Overlooking HVAC Maintenance
For all the work an HVAC system does to keep us comfortable in our homes, it’s easy to forget about giving it a checkup to ensure all the components are operating within specs and as intended. I’ve seen everything from spider’s eggs, unchanged furnace filters, and squirrels’ nests in a chimney cause expensive and preventable issues with furnaces. Air conditioners are often overworked and give out early because of low freon, lack of cleaning, or issues with the capacitor.
It’s well worth the couple hundred dollars to have your systems checked out once a year and there are several companies who will put you on a schedule and let you know when service is due. Plus, it’s nice to know there isn’t gas or carbon dioxide spilling into your home.
3. Ignoring Brickwork and Chimneys
The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers see, and damaged or poorly maintained brickwork and chimneys can create a negative first impression. Cracked bricks, loose mortar, and deteriorating chimneys not only diminish the curb appeal but can also lead to water seepage and structural issues. There many parts of a building we cannot see from the ground and they get the worst of the sun, wind, ice, and rain making them susceptible to damage which is exacerbated by multiple freeze/thaw cycles as the seasons change.
Prioritize regular inspections and repairs to maintain the integrity of your brickwork and chimneys in order to avoid having a small, inexpensive issue grow into a costly headache by the time it starts causing noticeable problems.
4. Skimping on Curb Appeal
Don't underestimate the importance of curb appeal when selling your home. This means more than mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, or repainting the front door. Try looking at your house from the street as though it belonged to someone else. Are the windows and siding dirty? Window casings rotting or losing paint? Do the gutters need a power wash? Is the landscaping vibrant, or tired? Have any burned-out light bulbs? Time to replace that old storm door? Make a list and start checking it off!
These things can significantly impact potential buyers' perceptions. A well-maintained exterior creates an inviting atmosphere and instantly boosts the overall appeal of your property. Spending a little time and effort on enhancing curb appeal can yield significant returns in terms of attracting buyers and increasing your home's market value.
5. Paint and Wallpaper
Paint and wallpaper are highly personal and driven by each homeowner’s personality and tastes. I believe you should have and enjoy the colors you love while living in your home, but keep in mind that some changes may be necessary when you sell it to appeal to the broadest scope of buyers. Creating a branded experience for prospective buyers means creating a canvas for them to project themselves onto. It’s difficult for most people to connect to bright or highly saturated colors.
Try to create a cohesive palette and keep things as neutral as you can. Imagine scrolling through photos of your home and asking yourself whether they’d feel cohesive or disjointed. From a marketing perspective, it makes sense for houses to have the same color throughout when possible. Exceptionally large or historic homes are usually an exception. Again, enjoy your home but if your kid’s room is neon green just know you’ll want to address that before photography!
Conclusion
Selling a home is a significant undertaking, and avoiding common mistakes can save you time and money. Prioritize essential maintenance tasks like sewer lateral, HVAC equipment, and brickwork, to enhance your property's appeal and prevent unforeseen expenses. Additionally, investing in curb appeal and maintaining the home’s exterior can go a long way in attracting the right buyers. So, before you put up that "For Sale" sign, take the time to address these crucial aspects, and you'll be well on your way to a successful and lucrative home sale.
As always, thank you for reading my blog. I hope you found the information useful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can offer you any guidance in these matters.
