The Dangers of Deferred Maintenance

September 17th, 2019 by Cynthia Trapp

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Life moves fast, and it's easy to let home maintenance slip, but that's never a good idea. From clogged gutters to peeling paint to broken trim, a bunch of relatively minor chores can quickly add up to a big problem…especially when you're ready to sell your home.

Once you've accepted an offer, the first thing the buyers will do is have your home inspected. Since no home is perfect, and inspectors are paid to look for problems, they will find them. The home inspection report will detail any problem areas the inspector finds. These can range from the trivial – a loose door handle – to the serious – a cracked foundation. Depending on their disposition and what the inspection reveals, the buyers may choose to walk away at this point, accept the house as-is, or negotiate repairs.

Negotiating for repairs, or receiving credit at closing so the buyers can take care of it themselves later, is the most common result. This phase of the transaction is often tricky and fraught with tension. It can involve obtaining quotes from qualified contractors and might delay closing. This is where all that deferred maintenance comes back to bite you. It can cost you thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. Think about that for a moment.

The best way to avoid this scenario is to practice preventative maintenance. Staying on top of repairs and replacing things as soon as needed takes effort, but it's part of protecting your investment. If you're nervous about what a home inspection might reveal, it's a good idea to hire your own inspector before putting your house on the market. Knowing ahead of time what could potentially prevent a sale, and having an opportunity to fix it before buyers walk through, ensures you'll have less to worry about as you move toward closing.

Keeping your home in good repair is your responsibility, and essential to getting the most out of your home sale. If you're not sure where to start, I can help.

Categories: Selling A Home

Tags: Southwest MI, Cynthia Trapp, Selling, Selling a Home, On the Market, For Sale, Home For Sale

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The Dangers of Deferred Maintenance

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