7 Improvements to Make Before Selling Your Home

You’ve been waiting for the day you can sell your starter home and buy your dream home; finally, that time has come and an interested buyer is eager to seal the deal, but there’s only one problem: your current property can’t pass the home inspection.

It's more common than you think. While an issue seems minor to you, a seasoned home inspector may think otherwise. To avoid finding yourself in a similar situation when you’re ready to sell, here are some home improvements you should make to avoid a problem later.

1. Leaky roof

A sturdy roof is essential to keeping the interior of the home dry, but if faulty materials were used during the initial installation or the roof has simply deteriorated over time, a complete roof replacement may be what you're up against. If there’s even a slight chance you won’t pass that part of the inspection and you need to have it done quickly, find a trusted roofing company that guarantees lifetime protection. A lifetime warranty on the roof could equate to a higher asking price if you use the improvement as a selling point to boost interest.

2. Structural damage

Is the foundation of your home riddled with cracks or exhibiting signs of grade sloping? Have the floor joists succumbed to rotting as a result of termite damage? The more severe the issue, the more costly the repairs — structural damage repair can reach $50,000, according to the Home Improvement Center.

3. Moisture and drainage

HGTV classifies this defect as a chart topper, in terms of detection, during home inspections and links it to structural damage caused by dry rotting and the presence of toxic mold. If you notice water buildup around the exterior of your home, you may have a basement leak on your hands. Unfortunately, moisture and drainage issues also pose a health hazard and are expensive to fix.

4. Plumbing

Have you experienced issues with your plumbing, such as frequent drain clogging, cloudy water and leaky pipes? While you may be able to make minor repairs, more severe cases could call for a total system replacement.

5. Electrical wiring

Faulty wiring is a serious matter and should not be overlooked, as it can result in an electrical fire that destroys your home and everything in it. This problem is commonly found in inspections of both renovated and dated properties.

6. HVAC defects

Is your HVAC unit up and running, free of defects? Or is it struggling to adequately heat or cool your entire house? Assuming it was properly installed and is well-maintained, a minor repair could do the trick. Otherwise, a total replacement may be necessary, which could cost you between $3,000 and $7,000, notes this infographic at Home Improvement Center.

7. Window cracks

If cracks are present around the windows, seal them with caulk or completely replace the windows. Otherwise, water can seep into the wall and eventually cause mold and mildew.

Bottom line: you can either fork over the cash for the improvements prior to the inspection or be forced to correct the issues after the fact. If you choose the latter, be mindful that some buyers may not be willing to wait around while you take care of your part of the bargain.