6 Small Problems That Can Stop A Home Sale In Its Tracks (VIDEO)
Have you ever been to a relative’s or friend’s house and found out that the house had some shortcomings? For example, the garage door got stuck midway so it had to be pushed up or the hot water takes a few minutes to get hot? Something like this might not seem like a big deal when visiting a friend or relative but it might be when buying a house. The professionals at the Local Records Office in Los Angeles, CA created a list of small shortcomings that can stop a sale in its tracks.
1. Air Conditioning Not Working
In areas where it gets really hot in the summer like Texas, Arizona, SoCal, Florida, and Hawaii having broken air conditioning will be a deal-breaker for many. Buyers want to come home and be able to relax in an air-conditioned house and not have to have fans on full blast blowing hot air around all day.
You know a house is hot when it’s hotter inside than it is outside and you have to go outside to get cool air. It can also have health problems for some family members.
2. Doors That Get Stuck
If having air conditioning that doesn’t work isn’t bad enough try opening a door that gets stuck every time you want to get in and out of the house. A stuck door will make buyers want to run out of there and not look back. You want to be able to welcome your guest and not have them push their way in.
The best thing to do is to get the measurements of the door and buy one from Home Depot or Lowe’s. If you want an exact match you can always remove it from the hinges and take the door with you to the nearest home improvement store.
3. Weak Deck Railing
A weak stairway railing is a sign of neglect and careless act. Porch railings are there for safety, when the railings are damaged or not screwed on right they serve no purpose. Actually, they are more dangerous than no stair railing. Having a strong deck railing is important; you don’t want your potential buyers to fall over the second floor because you were too lazy to screw on a few screws.
4. Closets That Are Way Too Full
Overpacking your closet to the point where it’s overflowing is not a good idea. You don’t want your buyer to think that you’re a hoarder. The buyer wants to be able to see how big the closet is and how many cabinets it has. If you need extra space you should have a yard sale or rent a storage space for a few months.
5. Propped-Up Windows
A window that doesn’t stay open or up is not a good look for a potential buyer. The easiest way to get a window to stay open is to expand the edges with pliers or power tools. If you don’t have time to get it professionally fixed or replaced leave it closed and hope that the buyer viewing the house doesn’t see it.
6. Loud Squeaky Floors
Over time, wooden floors get worn down and start to expand causing friction and making the floors squeak. Squeaky floors are annoying at all times of the day.