Did you know Americans move an average of approximately 12 times in their lifetime? 

Whether you move more or less than the average, there are many things to consider if you’re selling your home. Many homebuyers want homes that are move-in ready. In other words, they don’t want to buy a home, move in, and sink thousands or tens of thousands into it.

So, you’ll want to consider how move-in ready your home is and if there are things you can and should do to make it more attractive to a critical mass of homebuyers. 

One thing to consider is your HVAC unit. It’s a vital piece of equipment -- especially if you live in a region with extremes in hot and cold temperatures at different times of the year. The HVAC unit will be one of the things people look at when deciding whether to make an offer for your house.

So, should you get a new HVAC unit before selling your home to entice homebuyers? Continue reading to find out three scenarios when it might make sense to bite the bullet and replace it.

1. It’s Worse for the Wear

Depending on the source, an HVAC unit can last between 10 and 25 years. That said, people who make good use of their equipment will likely see theirs last closer to the lower end of that range. 

But what if your HVAC unit is around 10 years old, and is on its last legs? You won’t necessarily have to replace the unit before selling your home, but the homebuyer might insist on it being changed or request a discount on the price of your home to pay for the purchase and installation of a new HVAC unit.

If there’s a lot of interest in your home and multiple offers are made, you might be able to get away with leaving the HVAC unit as is. The reason is that multiple parties bidding for a home usually means that one or more of the bidders will be willing to make concessions.

2. The Homebuyer Insists on It

Another scenario where replacing your HVAC unit can make sense is if a prospective homebuyer demands that the equipment be replaced in order for the deal to go through. You’ll have the option of doing one of the following if such a request is made:

•  Replace the HVAC unit so that the deal can go through
•  Offer to reduce the sale price by an amount equal to the cost of an HVAC unit
•  Refuse the stipulation

You’ll be able to decide what option works best for you. It might be worth your while to pay for a new HVAC unit if you want to close a deal sooner rather than later. Your best bet is to speak with your real estate agent to determine the best course of action.

3. You Know It’s Malfunctioning

If you know your HVAC equipment is on its last legs, you should probably disclose this to prospective buyers. Some homebuyers will be okay with replacing it after they purchase your home, while others will look elsewhere if they don’t want your old HVAC unit to be their problem. It might be worth your while to replace it before selling your home. You’ll increase the number of interested homebuyers if you take care of that matter before selling.

These are some instances when it can make sense to replace your HVAC unit if you’re selling your house. For as long as you own your home, get your HVAC unit serviced regularly. You’ll get many years of reliable service out of it -- and so will the next owner if you sell your home.