If you’re planning to list your Long Island property, there are a few repairs that need to be completed before it can go on the market. Some of these items will be considered minor and inexpensive while others may cost more money and time. New York is one of the most expensive states to live in, and Long Island is no exception. The cost of living on Long Island can be overwhelming for those who are not prepared.
It doesn’t matter if you’re selling your first home or your tenth, issues with floors and walls may turn buyers off and cause them to see your house as something that will require too much work. Even though these fixes may cost money and time, it’s best to handle them right away rather than deal with them once an offer has been made on your property.
Properties in Long Island are expensive investments, which is why it’s important to keep them in good shape. If you’re not able to perform regular maintenance on your home, there will inevitably be problems with the property and an increased need for repairs.
#1 Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint on the walls will help your house look its best and attract potential buyers more quickly than a dated or worn-down appearance would. Stripping, sanding, priming, and painting are time-consuming processes that require work from both you and professionals before you can start thinking about selling your home. Be sure to hire qualified painters who know how to protect surfaces during this process so they don’t get ruined by spills or other mishaps!
A fresh coat of paint will also have an immediate impact on how buyers feel about the house. Potential buyers will associate good feelings with entering the house because it’s clean, new, and welcoming. It may be worth investing in some other upgrades as well to really show off what you’ve done to improve the space. Don’t forget to take before-and-after photos so potential buyers can see whether or not your investment was worth it.
#2 Fix Water Damage
Long Island is a beautiful place with many wonderful features. However, there are some areas that have more water damage than others. If you are looking to sell your property on Long Island, it pays to know how important it is to fix the water damage before listing your home for sale.
Water damage comes in many shapes and sizes–from small leaks around pipes or cracks in exterior walls all the way up to major flooding from heavy rains or broken pipes inside your house. There are steps you can take now to help protect yourself against future problems related to water damage – this includes having a professional inspect your property for any existing damages and then taking care of them as soon as possible so they don’t worsen!
#3 Floor Repairs
If you are thinking about selling your home, it is important to make sure all the floors are in good condition before listing. It is easy to miss small cracks or other damage because they can be difficult to see on a dark hardwood floor.
It is crucial that you take the time and expense necessary to get the carpets replaced. You may not realize how dirty your carpet can be until you remove them for cleaning or replacing it. Carpets accumulate dirt from foot traffic, spills, and pet hair. An average person sheds over 100 hairs per day! A clean, stain-free carpet will attract buyers and help increase your selling price.
Sellers should consider the added value of repaired and restored hardwood flooring as part of their home’s overall value. When you sell a home with flawed or damaged wood flooring, most buyers will assume that the problems with the wood were there for years and they will reduce their offer accordingly. Since they won’t fix these issues, they will expect to pay less for your property than if it had new and perfect hardwood floors.
A few cracks or dings in your hardwood floor will not seriously impact the sale price; however, serious damage such as buckled planks or broken boards will be a huge red flag for buyers.
#4 Cover Pet Damage
Pet owners have a tendency to forget about all of the pet damage that pets can do, but this needs to be addressed so potential buyers don’t think twice about purchasing your home. If you plan on renting out your home after selling it, be sure to cover up all stains and odors before listing. You can also use a carpet cleaner for pet accidents in order to get rid of any possible odors so potential buyers won’t question if there are any other issues with the house.
Additionally, try using an enzyme-based cleaner that utilizes natural enzymes found in plants and animals instead of harsh chemicals which can cause allergic reactions in some people or just plain don’t work as well at removing certain types of stains and smells from carpets and upholstery.
Just like with any house you intend on selling, make sure to thoroughly clean and declutter before showing it off to potential buyers. Not only does this prevent you from wasting your time showing a messy house, but it also allows potential buyers to picture themselves living in the space.
#5 Light Fixtures
Light fixtures are an important part of any home. They provide light, ambiance, and decor to your space. But did you know that they can also help sell your property? It’s true! If buyers see that there are broken or mismatched light fixtures in a room, it may have them questioning why you didn’t fix them before putting the house on the market. That could be enough for someone to turn away from your listing altogether. So if you’re preparing for a move out of Long Island, make sure to take care of this detail first!
A broken or malfunctioning light fixture can make buyers think the house is poorly maintained and was not well cared for. Here are some quick tips on what to do if there’s an electrical issue with your home’s lighting fixtures:
1) If it smells like burnt plastic, turn off the breaker box and replace any burned-out bulbs. Otherwise, check all of the wires in the socket to see if they’re touching each other. This could be due to someone having installed them wrong or just poor installation technique generally speaking.
2) Check all of the screws holding down hardware (track mounts, ceiling cans). These can work loose over time, dropping the fixture and causing a short. Replace as needed with screws that are not too long or they can cause a fire hazard.
3) Try tightening existing fasteners if they aren’t already snug. Loose hardware may be a reason for your outlets to “pop”.
4) If everything seems fine, you might have a faulty circuit breaker. The easiest solution here is to just turn the switch off from the panel and then back on again. This generally works in most cases involving pop-prone GFI outlets or lights that don’t work after being turned off and on again. In some cases, it’s necessary to replace the circuit breaker which can carry its own electrical hazard risk.
#6 Replace Grout
At first glance, your bathroom might not seem like a priority to fix before listing your Long Island property for sale. However, you need to consider the potential buyers’ points of view. If they see dirty grout or other signs that indicate neglect, they may be discouraged from purchasing your home and it will take longer for you to find a buyer.
Cleaning up the grout in any areas where it is looking worn out should only take an hour or two at most and can make a huge difference in how quickly your house sells.
#7 Bathroom Repairs
Over the course of years, pipes can corrode and water can leak through walls. A leaking toilet waste pipe under the floor will not only ruin your carpeting but also invite mold and mildew into your home. Prevent these issues by hiring a licensed plumber to perform routine maintenance on all of your bathrooms before listing for sale or renting out.
#8 Update the Kitchen
It’s easy to forget that your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. The kitchen is often the heart of family life and it has a significant impact on how quickly you can sell your Long Island home.
If you want to make sure that people are interested in viewing your property, then updating or upgrading the kitchen could be a great idea. This will help show potential buyers that they can still enjoy cooking for their family with what you offer.
Potential buyers want a modern kitchen with high-end appliances. A dated or run-down kitchen will not sell quickly and won’t fetch competitive prices on the market. Modernizing your kitchen is an investment that pays off in time!
#9 Prevent Insect Infestations
Insects may invade your home if there’s a crack or crevice in which they can hide or nest. Taking care of these small problems early will save you from having to deal with a larger infestation later on. Use environmentally safe solutions to create a barrier around your home and inside walls at entry points such as windows and doors.
Keep outdoor trash covered if possible and clean up beneath the bins. Bugs can lurk anywhere, so inspect window sills and door frames for signs of insect activity.
#10 Exterior
It is important to update the exterior of your property before listing it for sale. A freshly painted home, lawn trimmed and plants in bloom will attract buyers more quickly than a neglected home with overgrown shrubs and weeds. However, many homeowners overlook this simple step when preparing their house for sale. It’s all too easy to get caught up in painting the interior or staging furniture while overlooking these small yet crucial fixes outside that can make a huge difference after just one day of work!
The good news is that updating an exterior doesn’t take much time or money; there are plenty of useful tips available on how to spruce up your yard without breaking the bank!
Summary
Selling a house is a stressful process. One of the most costly parts may come as a surprise to many people: repairs. It’s not uncommon for buyers to request thousands in improvements before they’ll make an offer on your home, and you’re left footing the bill.
If you are looking for a quick sale of your home without putting loads more cash into repairs then cash buyers may be the way to go. As sellers understand that their home will not be in showroom condition and they are willing to take less than what the market value would be in order to sell quickly.
If you are looking to sell your home for cash, Simple Sell Home Buyers is the company that can help. We can buy your home no matter the condition, and during a home tour, give you a fair cash offer on the spot. For more information, contact us today, or fill out our information house form online.
Image Credits
Domain / Google Stock Images
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