When preparing a home for sale, you may not have a lot of money to make renovations. There are, however, some inexpensive repairs that will make your home and property more attractive to potential buyers. The first step in knowing what to fix when selling a home is knowing what to fix that will not break your budget.

Stick to the Basics

When a potential buyer looks at a home, they are looking for some very basic things. Two things they want to know is whether the roof leaks and if there are any issues with the gutters and downspouts. While you may not be able to afford to replace an entire roof, all leaks should be repaired—and that includes fixing any water damage that may have occurred to your ceilings. Your gutters should be cleared of any debris and rehung if needed to ensure proper drainage to the downspouts.

If your carpets are a mess but you have hardwood floors underneath, you might want to rip up the carpeting. With some sanding and maybe some stain, you can bring back the beauty of the flooring. If you don’t have hardwood flooring underneath, replacing the carpet or installing inexpensive laminate flooring can be the next best thing.

Focus on the walls, especially if you smoke. You might not notice that your walls look dingy because you see them all the time, but a potential buyer will. Give your walls a good scrubbing and repair any holes in the sheetrock or plaster. A coat of paint will help freshen up the look of any room in your home, but stick to light, neutral colors.

Make sure that your furnace and air conditioner are in working condition. Have an HVAC contractor perform routine maintenance and assess the condition of your heating and cooling system so there are no surprises if a potential buyer wants to have a home inspector check it out.

If you have a basement, make sure it is dry and free of mold and mildew. Caulk any cracks where water may seep in. It is also a good idea to cover the brick with a few coats of drylock paint to seal it and prevent water from seeping through the foundation walls.

Think Curb Appeal

Knowing what to fix when selling a home also includes the outside. It doesn’t cost much to clean up your property. The outside appearance of your house can make or break a buyer’s first impression. You may not be able to afford to re-side or paint the exterior of your house, but there are a few things you can do to make a better impression.

• If you cannot afford to upgrade your front door, repaint it.
• Make sure your yard is clear of garbage such as old patio furniture or outdoor toys.
• Keep your lawn maintained by making sure it is watered, weed free, and mowed.
• Trim your shrubs and plant flowers around the yard to make it more attractive.

Knowing what to fix when selling a home can help you save money by focusing on things buyers look for first. It will also help improve your chances of selling your home at your asking price within a reasonable time frame.