The process of selling a house and downsizing in Kansas City has numerous sequential parts that must be in place and orchestrated for things to go smoothly, and a few of those parts cause more anxiety than all the rest. Among the anxiety-inducing steps in the process of senior downsizing may be the inspection and the appraisal. You can, however, reduce the stress and anxiety if you prepare properly – to avoid surprises and get the results you want. If you don’t like surprises there are certainly things you can do to be as proactive as possible. Let’s take a look at 5 important things to do before inspections and appraisals when selling your house in and downsizing in Kansas City.
1. Work on Your Curb Appeal
First impressions are just as important for the inspector and the appraiser as they are for potential buyers. The best way to create a great first impression is with curb appeal so the “first preview” of your home is a positive one. So before inspections and appraisals when selling your house in Kansas City be sure that your first impression curb appeal is welcoming. As a senior downsizing in Kansas City, you may be (rightfully so) — most anticipating the move to come. You may be remembering days of the past when you were joyfully tending to your flower beds and plants, but aren’t able to keep up anymore. While your curb appeal doesn’t have to be perfect, we always hope to leave a good impression for future buyers and the next owners who will love your home as you did. Even though you will be moving somewhere new – you get to keep all of the memories you want to cherish from your family home.
“Curb appeal is a major factor in a buyer’s interest in your home. . . . [Because] first impressions are influential, they are a subconscious element and create either positive or negative feelings. The home inspector, while not the actual buyer, will also notice the condition of your home at first sight. If it looks well kept-up and clean this will give them a first impression that the home is well taken care of, which could benefit you on the home inspection report.”
Curb appeal doesn’t have to be incredibly pricey high maintenance landscaping but it should look clean, crisp and on par with homes similar to yours. It shouldn’t look overgrown or unkept and should be pruned appropriately for the season. Sometimes life happens and we need help – that’s okay. Work with your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® for a game plan and help, if needed to refresh your home’s curb appeal.
Here, according to industry pros, are some to things you can do to improve curb appeal:
- Make the yard stand out by mowing, trimming trees and shrubs, planting flowers, and laying down new mulch in beds.
- Ensure that all doors and gates function properly, including knobs, latches, locks, and deadbolts.
- Touch up paint where needed.
- Power wash siding, porches, decks, and sidewalks.
2. Check the Gutters and Assess the Roof
Beyond curb appeal, the roof of your home will certainly be reviewed by inspectors and appraisers with a thorough examination. The insurance company of the future buyer who purchases your home will also be very invested in the condition of your roof, especially with the Midwest storms in recent years triggering claim payouts. Be sure to check the roof (and gutters) before inspections and appraisals when selling your house and downsizing in Kansas City and beyond.
Clean the gutters and make any needed roof repairs, ensuring that you don’t just take a band-aid approach to solve roof problems. “If there is any [roof] damage,” experts say – “especially things that you may have fixed temporarily – make sure to fix them before the inspection. DIY patches and other unfinished repairs will be noted as defects on the inspection report.”
3. Check EVERYTHING Inside
A common mistake senior homeowners make before inspections and appraisals when downsizing in Kansas City is failing to consider the level of detail that may be noticed on a home’s interior. While the home’s exterior and curb appeal absolutely should be be in tip-top shape to set the tone for the rest of the inspection or appraisal – neglecting the interior to any degree is a mistake.
The interior is just as important as the exterior, so double and triple check everything. Industry pros recommend that, after decluttering and deep cleaning, you make sure that:
- There are no dark light bulbs
- Smoke detectors are working
- All of the appliances are plugged in
- The inspector has access to everything, i.e. there aren’t boxes blocking the water heater, the garage door opener works, etc.
- The filter in the HVAC has been changed recently
- Sinks aren’t leaking underneath
- All of the locks are working properly
4. Compile and Provide a List of Improvements and Upgrades
One of the really important (but often overlooked) things you should do before inspections and appraisals when selling your house in Kansas City is to compile a list of recent improvements and upgrades and be sure your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® agent has a copy that can be shared with not only prospective buyers, but appraisers or inspectors, if needed.
After spending thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on improvements and upgrades, you certainly don’t want to take the chance that they won’t be noticed or factored into the appraisal especially. So make it easy for them to be taken into account.
Here’s what industry experts recommend: “As you prepare for an appraisal . . . it’s extremely helpful to create a list of all upgrades and improvements that you’ve made in your home. Simply leaving the list of upgrades and improvements for the appraiser increases the chance they don’t overlook a feature in your home that could impact the appraiser’s valuation of your home.”
5. Consult Your Agent
A final – well, actually the first – thing Kansas City area sellers should do before inspections and appraisals is to consult their Seniors Real Estate Specialist® agent when planning downsizing in Kansas City. Your local agent will most likely know or know of local inspectors and appraisers and, as a result, will know what kinds of things they look for. In addition, local markets vary and may have different emphases for inspections and appraisals. If you’re ready to get the best inspection and appraisal results, talk to one of our agents. Send us a message or give us a call today at 913-232-3383.