Hidden Problems That Will Lower Your Home’s Value
Home value is at the core of every buyer and seller transaction, so you mustn’t overlook any hidden problems that may lower your home’s value. Although most hidden problems can be easily detected by anyone who knows what to look for, some are more subtle than others. For example, if one of the walls in your house has an obvious hole where a window used to be, it probably doesn’t show up in photos unless someone takes a close-up picture of the wall. The following hidden problems will lower your home’s value:
1) Water Damage from Flooding or Hurricane Damage
A flood or hurricane can damage your walls and cause water stains on drywall. Even if the damage isn’t severe enough to require repairs, buyers might see these signs as major flaws. They could also lead them to question whether they would have been able to buy this house had it not been flooded.
2) Stained Carpeting
Like stained drywall, stained carpeting often leads buyers to believe that something must be wrong with the rest of the house. Buyers and sellers pay attention to carpets because they’re usually among the first things a homeowner does to make their house appealing to potential buyers. If the carpet appears badly soiled, buyers may assume that the entire house must be unsanitary. Regular carpet cleaning is important to keep carpeting from looking worn and keep stains away.
3) Cracked Walls
Walls near windows and doors tend to be weaker than those farther away. This means that they are easier to break through and crack. Over time, cracks can worsen until the building structure begins to fail and collapse. A cracked foundation can also raise doubts about whether the foundation of the neighboring property was damaged during construction. In other words, cracking in the walls makes them less attractive.
4) Chipped Paint & Graffiti
Paint chips off when there’s moisture trapped behind it–and if there is water leakage in the immediate area, paint chips very quickly. When you apply new paint over old, peeling paint, the result looks messy and out of place. Worse yet, all imperfections can give buyers the impression that the rest of the house wasn’t well cared for. People aren’t blind to graffiti; it’s simply another reminder of poor maintenance practices.
5) Mold/Mildew Growth
If mold grows in your ceiling, it will appear like a brownish stain or a dark, fuzzy growth. It can grow in places where light penetrates the plaster and drywall layers. It can also grow in damp areas such as bathrooms or attics.
6) Scratches & Nicks
Just as rust leaves marks on metal, nails and screws leave scratches on the surface of wood structures. These nicks and scratches could indicate that the builder didn’t care much for detail, and they will likely be noticed by buyers even if there weren’t any visible blemishes before the sale. However, many small holes around doorways and along baseboards give the overall impression of disrepair.
A home with some problems needs repair before the sell-by date to attract qualified buyers. Fixing up a few issues shouldn’t take a long time. Make certain that the work performed meets current standards. This includes checking with local codes and insurance requirements before proceeding. Also, remember that small defects are more noticeable, but they don’t necessarily add value to a house. Finally, be careful about what information you reveal regarding your home’s history. It may provide an unfair advantage to competitors who don’t disclose their troubles