Issues That Could Cause a Houston Home Sale to Fall Through
Before you put your Houston home up for sale it is important to know the main issues that cause Houston home sales to fall through. You usually only get one chance with a buyer, so you do not want to blow that chance.
By being aware of the issues before listing your Houston home, you can hire a professional or do some of the repairs and inspections yourself.
9 possible issues in your Houston home to be aware of before listing your house:
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Roof Problems
According to the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association, roof issues are responsible for 39% of homeowner insurance claims. Leaking roofs or old roofs scare off a large number of potential buyers.
New roofs are expensive, and with most roofs lasting 20-25 years, even if your roof is not leaking, getting closer to the end of the lifespan will concern a large number of buyers.
Replacing your roof before listing your Houston house is a big draw for potential buyers.
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Missing or Damaged Gutters
Gutters might not seem like a big deal, but they are a key preventer of water damage. Working gutters can prevent water from dripping onto your siding, windows, doors, or foundation.
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Creaky Doors and Windows
Buyers and inspectors will open and close doors and windows. Windows or doors that do not work well or at all may lead a buyer to believe there are more problems and that your Houston home is not in good shape.
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Outdated Appliances
Outdated appliances are a big concern for a lot of Houston buyers. Not only do they signal to the buyer that other items may be outdated, they are also a large cost to most people.
A lot of Houston buyers will try to buy the most house they can get for their budget, and something like replacing appliances may be a cost that they cannot afford.
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Old Heating and Air Conditioning System
When taken care of, an HVAC system can operate up to 25 years or more. If your unit is approaching the 25 year mark, this is a red flag to most buyers. Most buyers will wonder if the unit is working properly and even if so, for how long.
If they are deciding between your Houston home or another house, this could be the determining factor.
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Termites
Just say the word “termite” and you will scare off a large percentage of potential buyers. Each year, termites cost more than $5 billion in damage to U.S. homes.
Have a professional check your home for termites before listing your house and if there are any problems, get them taken care of immediately. Most Houston buyers will walk away from any termite houses.
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Cracks in Foundation
Often a sign of larger issues, cracks in a foundation are not to be ignored. Whether the crack is from a settling issue, letting water in, or a simple crack that can easily be fixed, the crack needs to be taken care of immediately.
This is an issue where it is often cheaper the faster you address it and you do not want to leave this for a potential buyer to find.
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Radon
While there are remedies to lower radon levels, radon is not something to mess around with. Radon is actually the number two cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
Radon is often found in the basement or lower level of a home. Most buyers will have their inspector check radon levels during the purchasing process, so it is a good idea for you to have this tested before listing your house.
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Bad Pictures and Description on Your Listing
A good way to have potential buyers not even view your Houston home in person is to have a bad description or unprofessional pictures on your listing. This is one of the reasons it is a good idea to work with a good realtor.
Do not let potential issues scare you from listing your Houston home. Check the list one item at a time and good luck!