finished yet and you’re planning to move in less than five years, it’s best to either leave it alone or do a basic, budget-friendly finish, allowing the buyer to customize it to their own tastes. Don’t Overlook the Basics Finally, don’t forget the fundamentals. When buyers are touring a home, they don’t expect to find leaky pipes, a non-working furnace, or outlets that short out as soon as they’re used. Issues like mold, a leaky roof, or stained and damaged carpet can turn off a buyer, no matter how stunning the kitchen and bathrooms are. Some of these issues, especially less visible ones like an aging furnace or water heater, might seem like a waste of money if you’re planning to sell soon, but they’re actually crucial. Even if buyers don’t notice these issues on an initial walk- through, appraisers and inspectors certainly will. An appraiser will factor aging equipment and worn-out flooring into the home’s value. A home inspector will point out that, even if it’s running smoothly now, a 25-year-old furnace is living on borrowed time, which might lead a buyer to want the cost of a new one deducted from the sale price. So, if you’re planning to move in the near future, it’s worth investing in basic system repairs or replacements. These improvements may not add significant value, but they won’t subtract value either—and they’ll help your home sell faster. New, energy-efficient furnace and air conditioning units can be a selling point, and there may even be tax credits available, lessening your initial investment. And remember, even if these repairs don’t add value in the buyer’s eyes, they’ll help keep the sale process smooth and stress-free.
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