Next, a Buyer Notices the Three “R”s
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Does your house need extensive repairs,
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can the buyer customize it to their liking with just a little refurbishing,
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or will it require extensive and potentially expensive remodeling?
According to the realtors that we’ve interviewed, buyers may be willing to roll up their sleeves to paint, change carpets and finish unfinished portions of the house, but they don’t want to tackle back-breaking labor like pruning overgrown shrubs, scarping pealing exterior paint, or reroofing. They don’t want to inherit chronic problems, such as a leaky basement, so leave the fun stuff alone, and take care of the ugly, dirty chores nobody wants to do now.
Focus your effort and expenses on deferred maintenance and the exterior. Make sure all mechanical and electrical systems work. Eliminate moisture problems. Repair loose stair treads and banisters, replace broken deck boards, eliminate floor squeaks and make sure your house appears as thought it’s been well taken care of. Should you decide a little interior remolding is appropriate, Gaylor recommends using basic items, and to (in this case) keep it rather generic, “Clean and uncluttered, that’s what buyers want.” Now, when you’re putting your house on the market, is not the time to make personal style statements.
