Renovation Projects When Selling an Older Home

Unlike your grandmother’s powder set and storage crocks, your house is never going to become an antique. Older homes, especially those made prior to the 1950’s, can have significant difficulties being sold on the open market. However, you can improve your chances of making a sale with a few renovation projects that will increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Rewiring
Up until the 1950’s, houses with electrical service used knob-and-tube wiring. Unfortunately, if your home still relies on knob-and-tube you will likely experience a lot of pushback from buyers and lenders regarding the need to renovate the property. Because of the age of your electrical system, it is in your best interests to have your house rewired before putting it on the market.

Subfloor Support
As your house ages, it settles and building materials buckle and slide. For your floors, this can mean noisy creaking and awkward bowing. Unfortunately, while these things are to be expected in older homes they give prospective buyers the impression that the house may not be structurally sound. Older houses generally need to have their subfloors shimmed or replaced entirely to repair damage caused by aging prior to going on the market.

Siding
Mice and bats are extremely common pests to find in older homes that have not had an exterior renovation. These pests enter through small holes in siding, casing and dirt access in your basement or crawl space and can make selling your home difficult on the traditional market. Replacing your siding is the best way to ensure that above ground access to your walls has been sealed off. You should also consider having your basement, eaves and overhangs inspected and resealed by a professional.

Selling an older home on the traditional market is hard, but it is not impossible. Hopefully, the amount of time and money you invest in your home prior to sale will help you attract buyers. If you are unable or unwilling to invest the time and money needed to improve your property before it hits the open market, a private sale can significantly reduce the length of time and amount of effort you will need to put into getting your house sold.

​Contact Seller’s Advantage online or call us at 1-800-208-3243 to get a no-cost, no-obligation quote on your home. We buy homes AS-IS condition and can give you a cash offer in as little as 24 hours read our Sellers Advantage reviews.