A home represents the most expensive investment most of us will ever make. That being the case, helping one’s property maintain a consistently high value should be among the foremost priorities of every homeowner. Unfortunately, as a result of complacency, laziness and outright indifference, many of us unwittingly overlook issues that stand to negatively impact the value of our homes. Needless to say, this stands to adversely affect the bargaining position of anyone interested in selling their house. Homeowners looking to keep their property in prime condition would be wise to avoid the following oversights.
Failure to Address Roof Damage
Although many homeowners seldom stop to consider the importance of well-maintained roofing, your roof represents one of your home’s foremost defenses against the elements. As such, if it’s allowed to fall into a state of disrepair, a number of problems are likely to occur. For starters, if holes form in your roofing and remain unaddressed, moisture buildup and mold formation won’t be far behind. Not only can mold damage be costly to repair, it can also significantly decrease the value of your property.
For reasons like this, it’s recommended that you have your roof inspected by seasoned pros at least once a year. Regular roofing inspections are particularly important for people who live in areas that are known for extreme weather. Wintertime, in particular, can cause quite a bit of damage to even the most resilient roofing. An experienced roofer will be able to identify and repair a host of problems in a timely, cost-effective and professional manner. Homeowners in the City of Angels that are ready to get on top of roofing maintenance should open up their browsers and search for roofers in Los Angeles.
Outdated Kitchens and Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are among the busiest areas in any household. In addition to being the place where food is stored and meals are prepared, the kitchen serves as the main congregation spot for a large number of families. Furthermore, in addition to providing people with a place to answer the call of nature, the bathroom is where every member of your family performs their daily grooming rituals.
Given how important both of these spaces are to the overall functionality of any household, there’s little wonder as to why homebuyers tend to be exceptionally discerning when inspecting them. For example, if your kitchen is rife with out-of-date appliances and out-of-style décor, many buyers are liable to factor the cost of remodeling into their offers. Similarly, if your bathroom is awash in rusty fixtures and noticeably worn décor, prospective purchasers are likely to be turned off. To nip this in the bud, make a point of upgrading essential appliances and updating décor accordingly. As an added bonus, if you take either of these steps shortly before listing the property, you may be able to factor the cost into your asking price.
Outstanding Plumbing, Electrical and Structural Issues
Attempting to sell a home with outstanding plumbing, electrical or structural issues is unlikely to work out well for you. Outside of seasoned house-flippers, very few people are willing to invest in properties that are plagued by the aforementioned problems. Even if you offer to deduct the eventual cost of repairing these issues from your asking price, most prospective purchasers won’t want to bother with all the hassle repairs are sure to entail. As such, make a point of tending to outstanding problems in key areas before proceeding to place your property up for sale. Although repairs will cost a bit of money, having them done may ultimately enable you to command a higher asking price.
As the most expensive thing you’re ever likely to own, your home is best viewed as a continuous investment. With this in mind, responsible homeowners are encouraged to stay on top of various problems and do everything in their power to maintain the value of their residences. While helping your home retain its value may strike you as an arduous undertaking, a little bit of proactiveness and a willingness to respond to issues in a timely manner can go a long way. So, if you’re hoping to keep your property in peak condition for the foreseeable future, steer clear of the mistakes discussed above.
