As a homeowner on the verge of selling your home, you are probably on the lookout for standout home improvement projects that will not only make your home more attractive to buyers but also boost its value so that you can make a reasonable profit.
You may have considered things like bathroom renovations, kitchen remodeling or even adding a new bedroom to the house. But the problem with these projects is they are pricey, not everyone will like the changes and there is no guarantee of recouping your investment, says TRI Property Pros Management team.
However, there is a cost-effective way to achieve your goals, without the risk of spending a lot of money on projects that buyers are not willing to pay for. This method involves focusing on the functional attributes of your home rather than on its aesthetic features.
In other words, you prioritize projects that impact the actual performance of the various systems in the house. Instead of simply trying to make your home look nice, the emphasis should be on making the lives of its future occupants easier and the home maintenance costs lower.
How do you do this? One way is to focus on improving your home’s plumbing.
One of the least-known facts when selling a home is how small improvements in the quality and performance of the plumbing can have a marked impact on the home’s sales price. Plumbing issues can be the make-or-break factor when selling a home.
Furthermore, the plumbing underlies the performance of your kitchen and bathroom. Therefore, any home improvement projects that do not focus adequately on the condition and function of the plumbing will either fail or underwhelm.
This is why when planning to sell your home, you should start your home improvement efforts with the major systems of the house, such as the plumbing. How can you use plumbing improvements to boost the market value of your home? Here are some tips for you:
Plumbing repairs to do before listing your home
These can be categorized as necessary projects (fixing flaws that can upset or turn off a buyer).
- The sink is an eyeball magnet. Inspect sinks for chips, cracks, discoloration, and worn-out sealant. If it is damaged or ugly, replace it will something decent but moderately-priced.
- Check out the function and finishing of your faucet. If it is leaking but still looks good, fix the leak. But if it is old and outdated, replace it with a new one that matches the sink.
- Replace the water supply line to faucets, dishwashers, and icemakers with stainless steel flex lines. Inspect the valves to be sure they are not leaking. Don’t forget the air gap for the dishwasher.
- Inspect P-traps to make sure they are not worn out. If the drain and tubular fittings for the sink are exposed, it is a good idea to install a decorative P-trap.
- If you have not replaced the supply lines for the toilet, faucet, and shower/bath recently, this is a good time to do it. Stainless steel flex lines are usually the best.
- Check the shut-off valve for each supply line. Make sure each line has a shut-off valve. Make sure the valve is working and its appearance matches the surrounding area.
- An old shower drain can be off-putting to prospective buyers; it can ruin the aesthetics of your bathroom. Replace it and don’t forget the drain cover while you are at it.
- Inspect and test the toilet to make sure it is working well. If the toilet looks good there is no need to replace it. Make sure the toilet cover is in good condition.
- Check the toilet tank for leaks and other problems. A leaky toilet will place a damper on your efforts. You may be better off replacing the entire assembly inside the tank.
- If you don’t have exhaust fans in the bathroom, install them. This is a small detail but little things like this can go a long way to impress fussy buyers.
- Have your washing machine and water heater inspected by a professional. Do all necessary repairs. Ensure the washing machine drain pan is connected to a functioning floor drain.
- Have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing for leaks, wear and tear, or other issues. If there are loose pipes and connections, fix them. Look for signs of water damage.
- Deal with water pressure issues in your home. Do not assume that the problem is from the municipal water supply; have a professional check your plumbing.
- Inspect your sewer line. Get a professional plumber to do a camera inspection to detect the issues in the sewer line. All sewer line problems in your home should be fixed.
- Clean the sewer line. Get a drain cleaning service to clear out the debris inside the sewer line. After cleaning the line do a post-cleaning camera inspection to verify the results.
Lastly, you may want to have an experienced plumber work with you throughout this process. Professional plumbers handle a lot of home renovations and they know the plumbing upgrades that buyers in your area want in their future homes.