might have to negotiate a reduced sale price with the buyer. Some buyers are willing to perform improvements themselves, to their own standards and spe cifi cations. However, some buyers will simply walk away, not wanting to deal with known problems that could get expensive long a ft er the deed is transferred. To be safe and sure, have a cert ifi ed plumber inspect the entire water system for leaks. Hire an electrician to check the wiring. Call an HVAC company and have technicians perform a thorough service checkup on the system. Contact the natural gas supplier and have them double-check the mechanics of your lines. If you’re looking for an alternative to arranging multiple diff erent inspections, cert ifi ed home inspectors usually cover all items related to mechanical issues (and more). Many buyers will hire a professional inspector, so you may be saving yourself nasty surprises later, if you hire an inspector before you put your property in the market. REPLACING APPLIANCES New appliances make a sign ifi cant impact on buyers. NAR conducted a survey of buyers in the market over the past several years and found that: • Buyers were usually “interested” or “somewhat interested” in buying a home that featured new appliances. • Roughly 17% of respondents preferred stainless steel. • Th e most important factor: available appliances. • Most buyers who were unable to get their sought-a ft er appliances said they would’ve been willing to pay extra for them. Potential buyers prefer that appliances be included with the house and will pay more for them, especially if they are new or in excellent condition. If you can a ff ord it, buy new appliance s. Th ey might be what sets your house apart from the home for sale across the street. If you can’t cover the expense of new appliances, ensure your existing appliances are immaculate and fully functioning.
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