When you decide to sell your home, it’s not a stretch to believe you’d like to get the most money possible from the sale. Home buyers looking for homes for sale in Fairfield and Vacaville homes for sale, on the other hand, want to purchase a home for the best possible price, but also need some assurances that the home will not be a money pit of repairs. A successful transaction occurs when the seller is satisfied with the proceeds (profit) that comes from the sale and the buyer has a reasonable assurance that the home is worth the price paid for it and that there are no major issues lurking in the home. If you’re handling homes for sale in Vacaville or Fairfield homes for sale, you’ll want to make sure you’ve inspected first.

What happens all too often, though, is that the seller receives an acceptable offer, triggering the contingency period that allows the buyer to have investigative inspections done at the property. These inspections often (almost always) point out items in or on the home to the buyer that are in need of repair or replacement, or that no longer meet building codes. Many of these items are simple repairs that are inexpensive to fix and can go a long way to minimizing the number of items showing up on the reports. Homes for sale in Vacaville and Fairfield homes for sale should have been inspected however prior to buyer inspection. Reducing the number of discrepancies that show up on those reports can lessen buyers’ anxieties and make them feel good about completing the purchase knowing the home they’re purchasing is in a reasonably good condition.

If you know what the inspections typically involve, you can address many of these items before they take place, so they don’t even show on the reports to begin with. When a buyer is looking at homes for sale in Fairfield and Vacaville homes for sale, the three most common inspections ordered are structural pest reports, roof inspections, and whole-house inspections, and although there is some overlap, the inspections focus on different areas of the home.

We urge clients to always inspect their homes for sale in Fairfield or Vacaville homes for sale before listing them. We’ll start with the exterior, since it’s the first thing an inspector will see. Take a walk around your home and look at the following areas:

Window Screens. Torn screens or bent screen frames stand out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, it is relatively inexpensive to have repaired professionally, or you can do it yourself with materials commonly available at your local hardware store.

Exterior paint. If your house needs painting, you will probably need to adjust the listing price, unless you decide to have the home painted prior to listing it for sale. If there are areas needing touch-up, though, this is the time to do it. Make sure you have a good color match for the paint. Buyers searching for homes for sale in Vacaville or Fairfield homes for sale will appreciate this update.

Siding and Trim. Issues with siding and trim are common and are typically reported on a pest inspection, with dry rot (wood-decaying fungus) being the most common issue found. Dry rot usually occurs at the ends of rafters or trim and causes cracks and powdering of the wood. These areas require replacement. Take a look at the siding to see if there are loose boards that need to be refastened and/or sealed.  Ensure a smooth process by making this update for homes for sale in Fairfield and Vacaville homes for sale.

Caulk. Look around doors and windows for areas of cracked caulk. Caulk is used to seal and protect from the weather. This is an easy fix; just make sure you use a good quality caulk appropriate for the conditions.

Fences. Check for loose or broken boards and replace as needed and make sure any listed homes for sale in Fairfield and Vacaville homes for sale shine!

Landscaping. Well-maintained landscaping speaks for itself. If your landscaping is in need of attention, you can dramatically improve the appearance with ground cover such as bark or mulch on bare garden areas. In most cases, you won’t have time to reseed your lawn, and while laying sod is an alternative, it can get expensive. Regardless of the current condition of your landscaping, keeping it clean and free from debris can go a long way in improving its appearance. Buyers looking for homes for sale in Vacaville and Fairfield homes for sale will appreciate a nice landscaped space.

Gutters. Keeping gutters clean is an indication of regular exterior maintenance. Dirty, clogged gutters can allow for water intrusion and roof damage. Fortunately, gutters are relatively easy to clean. Consider using a professional service, however, if your gutters are high up or in hard-to-reach locations.

Roof. Like paint, your roof has a limited useful lifetime. Having a roof inspection done prior to marketing your home can save you from nasty surprises down the road but may also make you aware of repairs (or replacement) that may be needed. Having repairs done and obtaining a certificate of clearance from the roofing company prior to listing your home removes uncertainty for both you and the prospective buyer. Buyers will be drawn to homes for sale in Vacaville and Fairfield homes for sale that have a lasting roof. Roof certifications generally state that the roof should perform as designed for the next 2 to 3 years under normal conditions. Like painting, though, if the roof is past its useful life, you will need to decide if you will have it repaired or will adjust the price of the home accordingly.

Remember, the first impression of your home is from the outside, and as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Those seeking homes for sale in Fairfield and Vacaville homes for sale will be attracted to homes with proper appearances. By being proactive and aware of the items inspectors will typically look for, you can take steps to minimize the number of items noted on the various inspections. Prospective buyers, too, will likely feel more confident about the purchase if there are a minimal number of items called out from the inspections.

In Part 2, we’ll take a look at things you can do on the home’s interior as well to put your home’s best “foot” forward when it’s time to sell.