RENOVATIONS / REPAIRS
Planning to sell your home? If yes, have you assessed the condition of your property? Do you know about the things you need to take care of before listing your home for sale? Most homes, before being put up for sale need a few repairs. These might include something as minor as a leaky water faucet, or a major one such as a full roof replacement. Usually, it’s best to have all these repairs completed before listing the home on the market. In cases where the seller wants to sell the home quickly, it is better to deduct these costs from the sale price. However, it is always best to get multiple estimates for repairs and budget accordingly.
Budgeting / Planning for repairs and renovations
Before even thinking about major renovation projects, it’s much more important to account for repairs that are needed. Some of the more expensive repairs typical to a home in Florida would include:
Roof replacement
Structural Damage
Plumbing / Sewer replacement
A/C replacement
Pool Deck / Driveway replacement
Termites
Most of these repairs cost thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars. Before doing any cosmetic renovation projects like renovating a kitchen or bathroom, make sure these things are taken care of. More buyers will be turned off by seeing water damage on the ceiling than those that will love a high end master bathroom.
Get your own inspection
If you’re going to put your house on the market in Florida, any prospective buyer is going to hire an inspector to do a thorough inspection of the house. Before listing the home, it is best to hire an inspector yourself. They will go through every nook and corner of your home and report back with everything that has to be taken care of before listing it. If your home is already under contract when these issues show up, it gives the buyer leverage in negotiations. We work closely with some of the best inspectors in Florida, and can have an inspection conducted on your property for as little as a couple hundred dollars.
Get Multiple Estimates
It’s no secret that there are a lot of shady contractors in Florida. Do your homework, ask your neighbors for referrals, and be sure to get multiple bids before hiring anyone to start repairs. Social Media sites like Nextdoor and Fcebook can assist in finding great referrals. If you find the right handyman, 90% of all home repairs can be completed by a single person. If there are plumbing, electrical, roofing or A/C repairs to be completed, only use specialized contractors and always ask for license information. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Renovations
After repairs have been completed, whatever else is left in the budget can be used on renovations. While a new kitchen may cost $20,000 and up, there are plenty of cheaper options that can greatly increase the value of your home. Here are a few renovations you can complete to get the biggest return:
Paint – Nothing can make a home look better than a fresh coat of paint. A cool, neutral color scheme on the inside goes a long way with buyers. It helps them picture their personal items matching inside the home. For the exterior, check the highest priced recently sold homes in your neighborhood to see what people are shopping for. Sherwin Williams has an app called “Colorwheel” to help you pick top rated color schemes.
Landscaping – Curb Appeal is very important. When potential buyers arrive at the house, this will be the first thing they see. Cleaning up overgrown bushes, trimming palm trees, removing any weeds on the property are all good ideas. Put some fresh mulch or landscaping rocks along the driveway and around trees. Pressure washing the exterior walls, driveway, and pool deck can go a long way – especially with the tile roofs we have all over Florida!
Flooring – If you have old, worn carpet in your house, it would be a good idea to remove it. New laminate or tile floors don’t cost very much for most homes and buyer’s love the look of brand new flooring. If there are older wooden floors, they can usually be sanded and refinished to look new again. However, if your budget is tight, it might be best to keep the existing flooring and do other renovations to match it.
Cabinets – Older cabinets stand out like a sore thumb. Shaker-style cabinets are cost effective and make kitchens and bathrooms look updated. If it is not in the budget to completely replace them, find a painter that specializes in cabinetry and have them add a fresh coat of paint. You can replace all the door handles and knobs from sites such as Amazon for under $50.
Ring Doorbell & Nest Thermostat – These items give the appearance of “New Technology” in the home. A Wi-Fi Nest thermostat can make a 10 year old A/C unit look much newer. In addition, Ring doorbells give potential buyers a sense of security. Each one costs under $200 at Home Depot and adds more value than the cost to a home.