No matter how small the problem might seem to you, it will be an even bigger problem for potential buyers. Repair any of these problems before the potential buyer comes into your home. This will help to insure that you get all the time, money and value that you have put into your home. Start by walking through your home. Look carefully throughout every room. Make a list of anything you see that may need repairing or replacing. Here are some the things you should look for.
Start with the interior wall colors of your home. Most buyers are more attracted to light or neutral colors. Bold colors tend to make a room feel dark and cold. Repaint any walls if necessary. If you are having trouble choosing a wall color try choosing a few paint samples. Paint a very small section of the room in an off white, an egg shell, and a cream color. This will help you decide which color matches the flooring, fixtures and the overall look of the room. If you have chosen to paint the walls white, try adding a second neutral color to one wall to create an accent wall in the room.
Make sure all moldings are in good condition. Make sure to look for scuff marks and exposed nails along the base boards. Replace or repair any cracked, chipped or broken pieces. Repaint them if necessary.
Check all the interior and exterior doors of your home. Make sure all the doors close properly. A warped, worn or damaged door can be easily seen by potential buyers. Make sure all the handles and knobs lock and unlock easily. Inspect the tracks of any sliding doors. Clean out the track areas. Repair any problems you find. Replace the door if necessary.
Take a good look at your homes flooring. If you have tile or hardwood flooring, check for chips and cracks. If you discover your hardwood floors to be scraped, scratched or faded try refinishing it. Make sure all your carpeted flooring is cleaned to remove any signs of stains. Press down firmly on the carpeting near the doorways and closet entrances. Make sure you do not feel the tack strips poking through the carpet. Exposed tack strips in carpeting is a major safety hazard. If your carpet is old and matted looking, consider replacing it.
Check all the windows of your home. Make sure the glass is safely secured and not cracked or chipped. Try opening and closing all the windows to make sure they are working properly. A window that does not open or gets stuck is considered a fire hazard. This can cause a home to fail an inspection. Check the screens in the windows. Look for any rips, tears or cracking around the edge. Replace the screen if it is wore or damaged in any way. If the screens are just dirty, simply remove them and wash them. Inspect the window sills for signs of water damage. Repair and seal any water leaks. Replace the damaged windows and repair the window sills.
Inspect you interior plumbing. Check cabinets and shelving under your sinks. Make sure there are no plumbing leaks that can cause water damage. Flush all your toilets several time to make sure they are flushing properly. Make sure the bowl fills with water promptly after it is flushed. Remove the lid on the back of the toilet. Inspect the metal pieces such as the arm and chain attached to the ball on the flushing mechanism.
If you see signs of rust or corrosion, replace the components. If there are water shut off valves, test them to make sure they are working properly. Inspect the water supply lines going to your washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers. Test the temperature of the water supply going to your appliances. Make certain that hot and cold water works properly on these appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers.
Test all the telephone jacks installed in your home. Go to every telephone jack in your home. Plug a regular phone in, listen to make sure a clear dial tone can be heard. Replace any jacks that are not working. Cover the outlets with an outlet cover if the telephone jacks are not able to be repaired. If necessary contact the local phone service company for assistance.
With a small appliance such a radio or hair dryer go to each electric outlet and plug it in, making sure each outlet is working properly. If the outlet is wired to a switch mounted on the wall, flip the switch on and off to insure the switch is operating properly with that particular outlet. Make sure all electric outlets have a face plate mounted on them. Test all the breakers in your electrical box. Make sure each one turns on and off properly. Hire a professional electrician if you suspect there is a problem with your homes electrical system.
