The time has come and you’ve decided to sell your home. Congratulations! Now, before you get started on staging and listing your home, you’ll want to make sure that your home is “for sale” ready. What we mean by this is that you should have your home inspected to make sure it doesn’t have any code violations. Code violations can pose health and safety risks to those living in your home, and taking care of them before you list your house on the market is necessary. If your home does have code violations, you’ll either want to make repairs or disclose the problems to potential buyers. If not, issues may arise down the road. Here are some of the most common code violations.
Windows and Doors
People don’t usually have reasons to replace their windows and doors unless they break or crack. However, over the years, their ability to keep warm or cool air from escaping deteriorates. While this doesn’t necessarily cause a major “code violation,” it could be an area of concern for homeowners. Windows and doors with poor insulation could wreak havoc on energy bills during the summer and winter months when you’re heating or cooling your home. In this day and age, that’s a major red flag. Consider assessing the doors and windows in your home for any instances of poor insulation.
Electrical Panels
Electrical panels are high on the list for most home inspectors. Poor home wiring could be both hazardous and a major fire danger. On top of that, electrical work that is not up to code in a home can cause issues with outlets, electronics, lighting, and appliances. Having a house that is properly wired is necessary, especially if you are putting your home on the market. If your home fails an inspection due to the electrical panels, contact your local electrician for an estimate on how to get your home’s electrical work up to par!
Structural Issues
Structural issues in the home are another reason for concern. These could come in the form of poor grading––your home not being level––or foundational issues. These violations could put your home at risk of flooding during rain or snow storms. Address these issues immediately before listing your home.
Roofing
Your roof is the first layer of protection against the elements. A compromised roof could and will leave your home vulnerable to water damage, hard-to-regulate temperatures, and even pests. Taking care of any roofing damage by either having it repaired by a professional roofing contractor or replaced is going to be necessary if you want to sell your home for a high asking price.
If you’re planning on selling a home with code violations, you’ll want to either inform the buyers of these issues and adjust the price or take care of the problems head on. Either way, knowing the violations prior to listing is going to make the selling process much smoother than if you were to ignore them!