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8 Things That Can Hurt Your Home's Value

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Real estate remains a top investment choice in the United States, with Florida recording over 140,000 homes listed for sale in April. Adding extra value to your home is the best way to fetch a good selling price. On the other hand, certain things can diminish your property’s appeal, making it difficult to sell it at a profitable price. Therefore, identifying and addressing these issues is vital. That said, eight factors can affect your home’s value. 

Location

Your neighbors' behaviors or lifestyles can impact your home's value. For instance, potential buyers may avoid your property if they encounter loud or difficult neighbors. Also, you may experience difficulty selling your home in a high-crime area. Fortunately, all hope is not lost if your home is situated in a less desirable location. You can work with a credible real estate agent who has sold houses in your neighborhood. While at it, ensure you are transparent with potential buyers; give them an idea of what to expect. Consequently, sell your home for cash to investors who see its potential. Upgrading your curb appeal, setting a realistic price, and opening open houses are also beneficial. 

Unnecessary upgrades

It’s not uncommon to spend on unnecessary upgrades in an effort to personalize your home. However, this can be more harmful than beneficial. For instance, installing a concrete slab in your backyard and including a pavilion can reduce its size, ultimately affecting your home’s value. Also, you may cherish a cool swim in your pool during the happy summers. However, don't assume all buyers will be impressed with this addition. While a few buyers may prioritize a pool for warm summer days, most potential buyers don't consider this when house-hunting. Admittedly, pools can put off buyers because of the extra insurance and maintenance required. However, Luxury homes sell better with good pool upgrades, so feel free to consider this.

Neglected maintenance

Overlooking maintenance is the surest way to depreciate your home's value. With time, your home may experience deterioration requiring you to fix cracks, leakages, and malfunctioning appliances. For instance, a little drop from your water heater may appear as a minor issue until the leakage worsens and compromises your foundation. Observing the healthy homes maintenance checklist recommended by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will help determine when to undertake your maintenance. As a tip, properly inspect your building to identify and correct damages. You should also replace aged pipes, old HVAC systems, decaying wood, frayed wires, and damaged gutters.

Housing market conditions

Housing market trends are cyclical and alternate in different seasons, favoring buyers and sellers accordingly. Low supply often leads to higher home values, particularly when there are more buyers. Likewise, mortgage rates can create diverse economic conditions in the housing market. During the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, the federal government lowered its interest rates, making borrowing money inexpensive. While the median price of new houses sold in 2020 stood at $266,000, the following year saw a quantum jump of 30%, and by January 2022, the figure had skyrocketed to over $400,000. Experts predict housing market conditions may cool down soon, so feel free to consider this.

Shoddy workmanship

Shoddy workmanship during construction or renovation can hurt your property value. Mistakes can happen due to homeowners doing the wrong tasks or a contractor cutting corners to finish the project. Each rework adds expenses to buyers, causing them to deduct renovation costs from your asking price. It’s worth noting that crooked tiles, warped flooring, and inadequate wiring often constitute poor workmanship. Indeed, this impacts your project quality and can depreciate your home in the long haul. Although DIY can save you significant money if done correctly, a failed attempt can decrease your property value. Therefore avoid handling complex projects alone. Instead, work with various experts to keep your home in top condition. 

Damaged roof

A solid roof can protect your home's content and greatly impact your overall property price. However, physical damage and missing shingles indicate that your roof needs your attention. For instance, a sagging roof may be a result of foundation damage. Therefore, repairing these problems can restore your home while maintaining or increasing its value. You can also consider roof replacement if your previous one is old or irreparable. It may cost you up to $7000 to change your roof, according to a 2019 report by NAR (National Association of Realtors). Fortunately, working with a credible roofing company can allow you to meet all your roofing needs. A routine inspection is crucial for spotting issues like leakage and corrosion, so feel free to consider this. 

Too much junk or clutter

Excessive clutter can hurt your home's value, as you may struggle to hide it when potential buyers or photographers come around to explore the building. Buyers may assume you have a negative maintenance culture when they discover too much litter in your surroundings, so stick to thorough cleaning to create a tidy environment. As a tip, check out your basement and shed, ensuring you are not keeping non-essentials in your home. You can also consider donating or selling items in good condition but not frequently used. You should also dispose of broken items, regardless of their sentimental value. This is because you can quickly pile up junk if you struggle to part with them. 

Weird landscaping design

Some weird or quirky landscaping can harm your home's appeal and value. Experts advise homeowners to avoid taking their landscaping design too personally. Instead, Consider trimming large trees leaning over your home to minimize the risks of damage to your roof. Also, mow your lawn regularly and powerwash your driveway to maintain a clean appearance. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint on your walls or the front door can give your home’s exterior a facelift, so feel free to consider this. 

Prepping up your house for sale may be difficult when you don't eliminate the common things that drive buyers away. Therefore, fix the frequently ignored things to raise your property value.

What can hurt my home's value when trying to sell? Real Estate Tips, Market Tips, Buying, Selling, How can I improve the value of my home?

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