Now more than ever, buyers are looking for homes that are turnkey and don’t come with a long list of items to fix or update. High interest rates combined with high sale prices, means buyers don’t have much cash left over to fix problems with their new home. So homeowners who are thinking of selling down the line are wise to work on that list of improvements/repairs they have. Deferred maintenance will cost you when you want to move.

This begs the question: What home improvements will deliver the highest return on investment when it comes time to sell? The obvious answers are kitchen and bathroom remodels. But there are other more basic projects you should consider first.

If you have an older roof (and many homes in the East Bay do) and are putting off dealing with it, it might be time to bite the bullet. Roof leaks can cause damage and dry rot that lead to big repair lists on home inspections. Also, as solar becomes more popular, buyers often appreciate a new roof on which to place panels.

Get a pest inspection. Just do it! Many of us never go under our house and don’t really know what is happening. A pest inspection will give you an idea of any dry rot, pest or fungal damage that you may want to address.

New windows give you a big boost when it comes time to sell. Rotting, cheap, or old-school aluminum windows will hurt you. Replacing windows creates energy efficiencies as well. You don’t have to replace them all at once, just replace a few at a time over the years. Buyers always notice the windows. It is a signal to them that the seller maintained their home.

Do you have air conditioning? Air conditioning has quickly become something that buyers are looking for. It may be only two weeks or so a year from heat and or smoke that we need to stay indoors and really need to use air conditioning, but none of us forget what it is like to live through those few weeks.

Take a good look at your foundation. Most of us in the East Bay live in homes that are approaching 100 years old. That means we probably have 100 year old foundations. If yours needs repair, you might consider doing the work, as foundation issues are the number one thing that scares buyers and lowers the value of your home. If your foundation is in good condition, you should consider seismic retrofitting. We are living through rare weather events so natural disasters such as earthquakes are on buyers’ minds.

Drainage can quickly become a big problem in a home sale. If you notice water under your house or pooling in areas near your foundation, now is the time to address these issues. Clean gutters, french drains and sump pumps keep areas dry and protect against damage that comes from sitting water.

Most of these suggestions aren’t sexy, but a buyer is willing to pay more for a well-maintained home, and is increasingly spooked by homes with issues.

Feel free to reach out if you need any recommendations or if you would like me to come over and discuss a plan for your home.