Sellers Advice: Spring Home Maintenance Jobs To Do Before Listing

Sellers Advice: Spring Home Maintenance Jobs To Do Before Listing

 May 16, 2016

Most home buyers don’t buy the first home they come across. They go for several showings and open houses before settling on one. They know that while a home may be attractive, it may come with a lot of financial responsibility. If some of your clients plan to put their homes on the market, they should carry out spring maintenance jobs to ensure home buyers don’t disregard their homes. Here are the most crucial ones.

Ensure the Air Conditioning is Inspected

For a small sum, a technician can tune up an Air Conditioner to manufacture-rated efficiency. Prospective home sellers should look for technicians who are certified by NATE (the North American Technician Excellence) program and who follow the procedure for the ACCA’s (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) standard for residential maintenance.

Dirty filters make an AC work harder, increasing energy costs and potentially damaging the equipment. Potential home sellers should inspect filters monthly and replace them every 3 months or as needed.

Change the Thermostat

According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat can save a homeowner approximately $180 every year on heating and cooling bills. The secret is to keep the thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when the home is unoccupied. When away, homeowners should use the “vacation” or “hold” features. Those with Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats can reset the temperature from their smartphones.

Clean the Evaporative Cooler

Many people who live in hot, dry climates use evaporative coolers, or “swamp” coolers, to cool their homes. Homeowners should inspect their coolers because the more they run, the more maintenance they need. They should examine the filters, pads, pumps, and reservoirs. When a cooler is drained and cleaned, the accumulated sediment and minerals are removed.

Seal the Cracks around Windows & Doors

Potential home sellers should check their doors and windows for gaps. If they find gaps that are wider than a nickel, they should apply exterior caulk. They can also use window-glazing putty to seal glass into window frames. They should add weatherstripping around doors and ensure they can’t see any sunlight through door gaps. This will help them to save money on air conditioning as they wait to sell.

Repair the Roof

An easy way to find out if the roof is damaged is to use binoculars. A handyman can repair loose shingles or replace missing ones. If the roof is extensively damaged, homeowners should hire roofers. But they should ensure that the roofers are members of the National Roofing Contractors Association. A roofer can also inspect and repair breaks around chimneys, vent stacks, and in the flashing seals.

Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Nature’s debris like twigs, seeds, decomposed leaves, and petals is worse in spring. Gutters deter rain from getting to a roof and a home, shielding both in the process. But clogged gutters expose a home to water damage. This damage can persist for a long time without being noticed, until pricey repairs are needed. Homeowners should also add extensions to downspouts to ensure water is transported away from the foundation.

Pressure Wash Exterior Surfaces

Pressure washing removes accumulated stains, dirt, and mold from the deck, driveway, siding, lawn furniture, sidewalks, fence, and garage floor. Tell your clients to rent pressure washers or to hire help. But they should only rent pressure washers if they know how to use them because they can damage a home when used incorrectly. For example, a pressure washer can remove paint from a house.

After a long, harsh winter, spring’s warm winds and bright sun are a breath of fresh air. But spring also has its downsides. Its bright sunlight can highlight cracked sidewalks, dead plants, and leaf-filled gutters. If your clients want to capture spring buyers, they must carry out these spring maintenance jobs first.

 


Ronique Gibson

By Ronique Gibson

Ronique Gibson is an Associate Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, who has been in the design industry for over 13 years. She started her design blog in 2009 and today it has become a premier destination for helping homeowners with everyday lifestyle challenges. Her readers check in daily for help with their homes, DIY project ideas, recipes, crafts, and inspiration to beautify and enjoy their homes.