By Barbara Lehrer
Real Talk
Barbara Lehrer
If you are thinking about selling your property you need to thoroughly reflect on the history of your home during your ownership. This may sound over the top. However, the house will now give signs of past wear and tear, repairs and replacements. These are tell-tale clues. Even the grounds, such as water being rerouted in the back, or trees that were cut or had fallen in the past are part of your list.
Where a shed sits in relationship to your boundary, is a significant subject to be accurate about when presenting a new listing on the market. From town information to an inspector’s eye, you would be surprised at what can surface when an overall new study is done by prospective buyers and their professional researchers. There are updated permits on file in town that relay projects in the past.
When I list a property I go to the town records and research what is in the file. I am not implying that there could be negative results which will make you appear inconclusive or uncaring. The family that loves your home is concerned and needs reassurance that you have been efficient. Good information is also on file, such as dates when a pool was installed or a new roof put on. Disclose everything.
Some owners are adding solar, and this product requires a lot of research. The company you chose to install the product on your roof, to save electricity costs, must have your roof analyzed for its age and condition. The town building department should supervise the process. Never put solar on an old roof.
What you are doing is trying to disclose everything you can about your home. For example, if you added a high-end dehumidifier system to your basement, was it due to dampness or is it just to be proactive and not have to empty a system daily in the summer? This kind of system is great; it comes with a lifetime warrantee, but only if you are religious in servicing it each year.
You need to review your files, the data you have saved, and then you can recall the reasons why each expense was made. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but the word disclose has a huge meaning. It may not be your intent to pass over information like how many times the HVAC serviceman added freon to your air conditioning unit over each summer for years or how the chimney cleaner told you to replace your liner five years ago, so you chose not to use the fireplace. Little things are funny.
If the garage foundation has holes or has a rotted sill, it is time to empty the garage and do the repair. Get ahead so you can proudly add to your information that you recently had a professional company, with invoice, replace the rotted wood.
Many people get a home inspection before they even go on the market. You may say that opens a can of worms, but in a market where the prices are substantial and the inventory is growing, it is a competitive and honest way to do business. Think about it. Use a realtor’s professional eye to decide how to proceed. Do it before it is time to sell. The market is now.
If you need more information on these issues, email Barbara.Lehrer@cbmoves.com.