What Not to Fix When Selling a House UK

If selling your house is on the horizon, there’s plenty for you to be thinking about. Mortgage applications, conveyancing, asking prices, viewings and so much more. One thing you might forget about though is fixing that broken window or rehanging that dodgy door. And then you worry that come viewing day, your sales opportunities are dented through not cracking on with the DIY.

Well, you might be surprised to know that there are plenty of things you can leave unfixed when selling a house and most buyers won’t either notice them or be put off by them.

Let’s dive into what not to fix when selling your house so you don’t find yourself wasting time or money.

What not to fix when trying to sell your house

If you’ve decided to sell your house, you want it to be seen in the best possible light by any buyers. After all, the first impression of the home is the lasting one. However, there are plenty of things you can leave without fear of it changing the overall impression of the home.

Old kitchen appliances

The likelihood is that the buyer has their own that they want to bring with them. If not, they would still like to make the kitchen their own with a style that suits their tastes. So, if you’ve got a kettle that’s seen better days or an oven that doesn’t perform as it should. Don’t worry too much, they are likely getting replaced anyway.

Minor leaks

If that tap in the bathroom is still slowly dripping months after you first thought you had fixed it, don’t worry. The cost of calling a plumber out or sourcing the correct items isn’t necessary. The new buyer won’t be dropping their offer significantly and it won’t be a game changer. They might even want to refurb the entire bathroom anyway and this will see that leaking tap fixed.

Flooring

Now this might depend on the extent of the damage. If there is a gaping hole in the living room carpet, it might make a buyer think the property has been uncared for and that other problems could be just around the corner. This might cause them to be a little hesitant with an offer. However, just some general wear on the carpet or flooring tiles won’t mean you need to replace anything. Some buyers may already have a plan for how they want to change some of the interior décor.

Minor cosmetics

If there are a few scuffs and scratches here and there, they are normally either easily fixable or not even noticeable. Spending extra cash on trying to patch these things up could be a waste of money and not change anything in terms of the offer being made. And, it makes the house look lived in, which is exactly what prospective buyers want to see anyway.

Windows and doors

Unless the front door is missing or the windows have huge holes in them, upgrading them is largely unnecessary and potentially expensive. To have new windows and doors installed also takes significant time, and if you are looking to sell your house fast, this would only slow things down. For all the money spent, you could even find that the new owners don’t like the style and replace them the moment they move in.

Over-the-top aesthetics

We get it, you want your home to look awesome. However, over-the-top staging to try and put emphasis on certain parts of the house and “paper over the cracks” could work against you and cost you money. Declutter and tidy by all means but creating an almost fake world might see you spending too much on unneeded décor and eventually see the house lose some of its natural character along with potential offers.

Small electrical issues

Larger electrical problems certainly need fixing, and you can’t sell a house without an electrical safety certificate. Smaller issues though such as a blinking bulb or a faulty switch will not cause any issues at viewing or with the surveyor. Should there be a potential safety risk though, get them fixed immediately.

Minor roofing issues

If your roof has a tile missing here and there but it is functioning as it should, it is structurally sound and there are no signs of water coming in. Save the money on hiring a roofer. The cost of booking someone to replace the tiles could end up outweighing the reduction in any offer.

Outdated kitchen or bathroom features

A kitchen or a bathroom is likely an area of the house a new homeowner would like to make their own personal mark on. Therefore, if yours shows its age a little with outdated cupboards, mirrors or flooring, don’t worry too much. These are all aspects of the room that will likely be transformed over the time the new owners live there.

What should you fix before selling a house?

We’ve touched upon the items you can probably leave alone but there are some you’ll need to make sure are improved upon if you want to get that sale.

• Serious electrical issues. A property can only be sold with a valid electrical safety certificate so if there have been problems with your wiring, it may be worth having an electrician attend to complete all the relevant checks that sign the house off as safe.
• Problems with the boiler & heating. A boiler requires an annual service to not only help you save cash but also keep it safe. If your boiler is broken or shows signs of fault, book in a boiler engineer so it can be certified safe before you sell.
• Structural issues. Trying to sell a house with subsidence is hard, if not impossible, so you should aim to have this investigated and fixed before selling. Should any other structural issues exhibit themselves, contact a specialist to investigate causes and give you solutions.
• Damp. Whether your home shows signs of rising damp or any other form of damp, it would be ideal to have this sorted before you sell. It can often be a quick fix with little expense but can sometimes take time and lots of money. Contact an expert for guidance and build your sales timeline around getting this fixed. No buyer will be too pleased if they walk into a property that smells damp and poses a risk to their health.
• Vermin infestation. Whether it be rats, ants, birds or woodlice, if your home has become their home, it can soon halt the chances of a sale. Speak to your local council or source a pest control company for advice, guidance and hopefully, a suitable solution.
• Leaking roof. We mentioned earlier that minor roof damage will not be a cause for concern. If though, water is coming in, you’ll need to get it fixed before you sell. Once water finds its way in, it will start to eat into the structure of the home and cause problems that could cost thousands of pounds to fix in the future.

Selling a house can be a complicated, and at times costly process. With all the things you need to declare when selling a home possibly needing attention, you might end up thinking a sale isn’t possible. Luckily, you couldn’t be further from the truth. At Sell House Fast, we buy any home, we don’t care if you’ve not fixed that leaking roof, we aren’t too concerned about any problems there might be with the heating either. We simply buy your house fast. In as little as seven days if you prefer. Our cash offer gets made, you accept it, and then you sell it. It’s that simple. Get your free cash offer today.