7 Structural House Repairs to Boost Resale Value

While it may sound simple enough, selling your home isn’t always easy. Paired with unpredictable market conditions and picky buyers, even your best-laid plans for selling might go down the drain.

The real estate market has always remained highly competitive, where trends keep changing by the season. For instance, in the post-pandemic era, many people prefer having a bigger home office compared to before. More and more homeowners now want to go house hunting virtually and therefore wish to have digital choices. Other trends like sustainable living, suburban homes, and single-family housing options are becoming more popular. Additionally, many industry professionals seem to be working with cautious optimism since they expect the current slump in the market to rise in the next few years.

And so, due to astronomical prices, personal demands, and a highly competitive market, selling your property has become a lot more complicated. However, by pulling up some neat repairs and ensuring your home stands out to potential buyers, you have a good chance of making a great sale. But it’s also important to note that not all repairs will add value and may be heavy on your pockets.

To help you pick the right ones, we’ve listed seven structural repairs that can boost your house’s resale value.

1. Mold or moisture damage

One of the main things potential buyers check for is mold or moisture damage when surveying a property. While this issue may be present anywhere in the house, it’s most common in basements. Since their presence can raise health concerns and the risk of collapse, seeing the evidence can immediately prevent them from buying your house.

Before starting the repairs, you must identify its source to ensure the problem doesn’t occur again. After that, hire a basement finishing company to give your basement a new and improved look. Whether it’s reconstructing, painting, or adding new designs, these experts will take care of it all.

2. Roof replacement

Over the years, roofs have taken the brunt of high winds, hurricanes, winters, and hailstorms. If water seeps under your shingles during the rainy season and leaks through the roof—it’s time to get on with the repairs quickly. Besides being one of the most visible components of a home, the roof is also highly significant. Since it shelters everything and everyone inside the house, you can’t compromise on any small or big damage that comes to it.

Depending on the damages, you might not have to replace the roof. However, if your budget allows it, consider it an excellent investment since it reassures potential buyers and gives them an added sense of security.

3. Windows and doors replacement

Another component of the house you can benefit from repairing is the windows and doors. Since these impact the appearance as well as the functionality of the property, their structure and integrity are of immense importance. Old doors and windows can become creaky, damaged, splintered, or cracked—detracting the property’s appeal before anyone even steps inside. Replacing the doors can alter the house’s aesthetics and make it more attractive for sale.

Similarly, installing new windows can provide better insulation, improved security, and allow for ventilation than old and possibly broken windows. These features may seem futile initially, but they can add value to your property at a minimal cost.

4. Staircase

Repairs to staircases leading up to the first landing, roof, or basement are vital for several reasons. First, as a noticeable feature of most houses, it’s often the focal point in many homes. If it’s unstable, damaged, or creaks, it poses a potential hazard of slipping or falling, causing severe injury. Besides losing its appeal to buyers, it can also be incredibly harmful to you and your family residing in the house. Some common problems with staircases are loose or broken steps, worn-out handrails, or damaged treads. The proper approach to fixing these problems depends on the type of damage and how extensive it is.

5. Floor

Stains, scratches, cracks, or chipped floors give the impression of neglect and poor maintenance by homeowners. Most sellers don’t pay much attention to the flooring when putting their house on the market since they hope a simple mop and polish will get the job done. However, years of use lead to wear and tear on the flooring, and no potential owner will find it appealing. Therefore, to maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of the entire home, you must consider repairing the floor, at least from areas it’s significantly damaged. This process may involve sanding dents and scratches, retiling cracks, or replacing entire floor sections.

Although floor repairs may seem like an unnecessary strain on the budget, they add to your house’s appeal, making it a remarkable property in the market.

6. Foundation

The foundation of your house serves as the structural backbone of the entire property, and therefore any existing damage to it can impact the stability of your home. Additionally, any cracks or problems in the foundation may lead to other structural issues if left unaddressed for too long. It will all lead to an exorbitantly cumulative amount which can cause severe financial strains on your budget. While foundation repairs can be costly, they’re worth the investment since no buyer will compromise on a weak foundation.

Typically, foundation repairs include leveling, crack sealing, reinforcement, or underpinning. While it’s possible to do some of these restorations yourself, it may be helpful to consult with a professional beforehand.

7. Walls

The condition of the walls provides an overall appearance and impression of a house when someone first approaches it. With cracked paint and damaged or unsightly walls, no potential buyer will look twice toward the property. More importantly, wall repairs aren’t as costly as other restorations, and therefore you can’t overlook them when trying to boost the resale value. Any damage to the walls can also indicate underlying structural problems, preventing buyers from considering it as an investment.

Common wall repairs can be filling in or patching up cracks and holes and repainting the walls for a fresher, more aesthetic look. In some cases, the extent of damages and, therefore, the repairs may vary. Hence it may help to get an expert opinion before making any changes.

Conclusion

Property consultants often recommend their clients buy houses that are well-repaired and have strong fittings. They primarily focus on the house’s structural integrity since it provides potential buyers a sense of security and satisfaction in knowing their investment is the right choice. And so, in a competitive market with many sellers and not enough investors, your home must stand out from the rest. You can live in a safer environment by making repairs like the ones above while boosting your property’s resale value—all in one go.