inspected and serviced prior to going on the market so they can be marketed with a clean bill of health. I always recommend having a pre-listing home inspection so you can get out ahead of any repairs in advance of a buyer finding them during an inspection after you are already under contract. This way you have time to shop several contractors to get the best price, as you will not have this option when you are under the duress of a transaction timeline with dates that must be adhered to. I also recommend offering a one year home warranty through a nationally recognized home warranty provider (I have a list of these if you wish). This, with a small deductible will cover many of the repair items found during a buyer's inspection for a fraction of the cost that a contractor would charge. It also give you more negotiating power after you have an inspection from Hell with self-proclaimed "expert" buyers who learned everything they know about buying homes from watching HGTV. We want to allay their concerns proactively so they will be more likely to go easy on the inspection repair requests, or even better, waive their inspections altogether. The next time you drive up to your home, take an objective look and inventory the things that need attention. With simple improvements, like weeding, trimming, and window washing, you can improve the appearance of your home in an afternoon. Low-cost investments, like power-washing the house and concrete, repainting trim, and adding landscaping, also add to your home’s curb appeal. The goal here is to get more money for your home. Homebuyers generally aren’t interested in a property that needs work unless you don’t mind selling it below market value. If you have poor landscaping, dingy exterior paint, or an unkempt yard, they may drive right on by without giving the interior of your home a second thought.
Look around your yard, and list everything that needs work.
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