First of all, a disclaimer: we're not planning to sell our home, now or anytime soon. But real estate prices have been rising here, and a lot of our neighbors are putting their houses on the market. So I've been watching out of curiosity, to see how quickly their houses sell, and for what amount. I'm interested in real estate, and I think it's smart to plan ahead and make home improvement decisions with resale in mind (I'm not saying it should be the main factor unless you're flipping a house...but we do prioritize smart updates that add value to the house over stylistic updates that suit our personal tastes). If you're thinking of selling your home soon, you'll want to make sure you take the right steps to get it ready for the market. It’s tempting to want to sell the property as is, and maybe you think you’ll be saving money by not completing repairs. But the last thing you want is for your house to be viewed as a fixer-upper with lots of issues that buyers will have to deal with, because that means the price you fetch won't be anywhere near what you hoped or expected. And actually, you can greatly improve the impression your home gives off with some easy repairs that don't cost much in the grand scheme of things. So which updates should you prioritize before selling your home?

1. Fix Up the Yard

Everyone knows, curb appeal counts when you're selling a house. First impressions are everything! So it's highly important to fix up the yard. Unmowed grass and an unkempt garden are signs that a property has not been well cared for. You'll also want to pay attention to any fences or structures around the property. Buyers often decide whether they want your home within the first five minutes. If the perception is poor, it’s possible they won’t even proceed with the viewing. Depending on the extent of the issues here, you may choose to hire a landscaper. But for minor work, it's definitely possible to complete it yourself with some good old-fashioned DIY sweat equity!

2. Take Care of the Big Issues

You can dress your home up nicely, but if there are big underlying problems, then the value of the home will be severely impacted. If you have structural issues or a damaged roof, then there’ll be no surprise if potential buyers have second thoughts about making an offer. Take care of these issues, and you’ll garner much more interest. If you don’t have the cash required to fix the big problems, then get a loan from a fast and reliable hard money lender. From there, it’ll be all about finding an expert company to do the work.

3. Update the Garage Door

The garage door is a crucial area of your property because it takes up so much space. This means people's eye will immediately be drawn to it when they first view the house. Even more importantly, a garage door that's in disrepair could also be a safety hazard. Luckily, garage door repairs are actually quick, easy and cost-effective. So, you won’t need to worry about this taking a massive chunk out of your bank balance! Besides completing functional repairs to the mechanism, you might also want to consider upgrading the garage door itself, adding curb appeal and style to your home exterior. This is one update that's high on our personal list!

4. Get Rid Of Mold and Mildew

Mold is a huge turn-off for potential buyers. It's a major eyesore, making windows and other areas of your home look dirty and gross. But it's actually fairly easy to remedy, on even the tightest timeframe or budget. With the help of some mildew remover and a few hours of work, your property can be clear of this issue. 

5. Take Care of that Drip, Drip, Drip

Finally, make sure that you fix any leaky faucets before you open your house up for viewings. The drip, drip, drip is not only annoying, but it immediately draws attention and makes people wonder what other plumbing issues the house may have. At best, it’s just another sign that your home has been poorly maintained.

Of course, the most important updates will vary house to house. If there is an obvious issue that buyers (or home inspectors) will definitely notice, then it's a pretty good bet that you should preempt that and take care of it before putting your house on the market. Once you've finished all the necessary repairs, don't forget about staging the house, keeping it clean, and making sure it's presented in its best light. When we were house hunting, we saw all kinds of crazy things that could have been SO EASILY avoided: dead flies left right where they were swatted on the wall, dirty dishes in the sink, and one house where there was dirty underwear in plain view (gross!). Not helping me imagine myself raising a family here, people. What's the weirdest thing you've seen when looking for a house to buy?

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