Plumbing Considerations When Putting Your Home on the Market
Selling your home is one of the most stressful and challenging things you’ll ever do. No matter how old you are and whether you’ve already done that, this is a hard task you have to approach with care. This is basically the end of one part of your life and the beginning of the next, so you need to make sure you earn as much money as you can. That’s particularly important if you’re planning to buy a new place straight away, so start looking around your home and figuring out how you can boost its value. One of the things you should pay attention to is the plumbing. Making sure it’s functional and working perfectly is a must, so don’t forget to do that before putting your home on the market. If you’re still not sure what you should do, here are a few plumbing issues to take into consideration.
Kitchen
This is one of the most important areas around the home and something all potential buyers are going to pay attention to when checking your place out. Recently renovated and spiced up kitchens are quite valuable and can significantly boost the price of your home, but that also means you’ll have to invest some money first. If that’s not something you want, you can focus on the plumbing and still do quite a lot. Replacing old sinks, faucets, and pipes won’t cost too much, but it still goes a long way, so at least do that before you list your home.
Start by installing a new sink. There are lots of great models on the market: drop-in, integrated, under-mount, and farmhouse are just some of them. Doing this on your own shouldn’t be too hard, so just pick a model you like the most and dedicate some time and patience to it. Also, check all your pipes and make sure they’re working properly. This could be quite a problem in old kitchens that haven’t been renovated in a while, so don’t forget this step either. Finally, take care of the details: fix your garbage disposal, clean your fridge, and replace your dishwasher if necessary.
Bathroom
This is another area all potential homeowners are interested in and a space that gives you a chance to make a great first impression. This is especially true if you’ve renovated your bathroom recently and equipped it with some new tiles, appliances, fixtures, and fittings, as well as a new bathtub or a walk-in shower. But, you still need to go back to basics and pay special attention to your sink, faucet, toilet, and pipes. In case some of these don’t work or are outdated, your bathroom will look bad, and your buyers will just walk out without making an offer.
While simple things like installing a new toilet or replacing the faucet can be done by literally anyone, you might consider leaving everything else to the experts. These are the people who know more about plumbing than you, and who use professional equipment, techniques, and tools to ensure the best results, especially in case of emergencies. If something bad happens, this emergency plumber in Sydney, for instance, uses only the best replacement pieces that ensure no problems in the future. This is always better than doing things yourself and not getting the job done, so trust your emergency plumber and rely on their experience.
Laundry room
Not all homes have a laundry room and most people simply wash their clothes in the kitchen or bathroom. But, if you’re lucky enough to have some empty space at your home, creating a laundry room is one of the best ways to make the most of it. It doesn’t have to be too big or too expensive, though, and you can fit a tiny laundry room even in the corner of your kitchen or under your stairs. But, as long as it’s there, you should do your best to advertise it when selling your home.
Most laundry rooms have just enough space for a washing machine and a dryer, and that’s basically it. Still, these two appliances require a lot of love and care, especially when you’re installing them. Make sure your laundry room has adequate pipes and strong water pressure, and don’t forget to maintain every inch of this space regularly. This goes for your washing machine and your dryer too because these appliances are prone to rust, so checking them from time to time is a must.
Outdoor area
If you live in a hot region with lots of sunny days, the chances are you have a backyard where you love spending your free time. This is where you can welcome your guests, throw backyard parties, eat your meals, hang out with your family, or simply relax after a long day at the office. But, in order to enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest, you need to invest some time and money into it first, and what most people do is start with the plumbing.
Depending on the size of your backyard and how you use it, you probably have some sort of water feature out there. Whether it’s a simple fountain or a massive water wall, these things need proper maintenance and adequate plumbing treatment. The same goes for your sprinklers and your irrigation system, which is crucial for people who love having a backyard full of flowers and plants. Finally, if your outdoor area features a swimming pool as well, you should contact professionals who can maintain and clean it every once in a while, making sure your pool is ready to welcome potential buyers and help you make the best first impression possible.
Even though plumbing doesn’t seem like the most important thing when selling a home, the truth is that this could make quite a difference. People generally prefer moving into well-maintained places that require no investments and they aren’t afraid to pay more for them. After all, investing in your plumbing could help you earn more money, so it’s definitely worth your while.
About The Author
Eric Jeanette is a mortgage and real estate professional with decades of experience in helping consumers to finance their dream homes. Today, he writes for various real estate publications and also operates two lender match services Dream Home Financing and FHA Lenders.
