When it comes to getting your home ready to sell there are quite a few things you need to do to get it market ready. Most buyers are willing to do simple repairs such as paint the walls, put in new carpeting or replace light fixtures but they typically don’t want to rebuild a foundation, move walls, or invest in a new roof.

Having to buy a new roof will deter many home buyers. The cost and work involved in tearing off the sheathing, repairing rafters and other costs are more worry than many home buyers will want to deal with. For most buyers, a move-in ready home is the most attractive buy. If you don’t make repairs, you will limit the number of potential buyers to your home.

Here are 10 minimum improvements to make before selling your home:

*Patch all holes and cracks in walls and ceilings.

*Fix all broken appliances and HVAC systems.

*Repair leaky faucets.

*Replace worn carpeting.

*Repaint dark or marred walls with neutral paint (not white).

*Replace broken windows.

*Repair or replace the roof.

*Change out dated light fixtures / ceiling fans.

*Replace old linens / window coverings.

*Fix code violations.

Fixer-upper buyers will discount the price of the home to allow for the repairs and, for the inconvenience, a bit more. Say, a home is worth $100,000 fixed up, but it needs a new roof. A new roof might cost $10,000. A buyer most likely will not offer $90,000 for this home. Otherwise, they could buy an identical home with a new roof for $100,000 and not have the hassle. What does this tell you, invest in a new roof and command a higher price. The other thing to keep in mind is that buyers know asphalt really only has a shelf life of 10-15 years. When they see a metal roof they know it will last, even in severe weather! Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why metal will be the last roof you’ll ever need.

Are you a first-time home-buyer eager to get out of apartment living and buy your very own house? Whatever you do, don’t rush into things and follow these simple steps to help you decide whether you’re ready to take the plunge.

1. Always check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area and neighborhood by searching actual multiple listing service, or MLS, listings in your area on a number of websites, including the National Association of Realtors.
2. Use Bankrate’s mortgage calculator to get an idea of what your monthly mortgage payments would be if you bought today.
3. Calculate your total monthly housing cost, including taxes and homeowners insurance because in some areas, what you pay for your taxes and insurance escrow will almost double your mortgage payment.
4. Determine what your closing costs will be.  Closing costs can include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items like homeowners insurance or homeowners’ association fees and shouldn’t be overlooked during the purchase process.
5. Review your budget and determine how a house fits into it. Fannie Mae recommends that buyers spend no more than 28 percent of their income on housing costs. Go much past 30 percent and you risk becoming house poor.
6. Buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment but can be labor-intensive and expensive.  Always remember to look at the big picture before inking the deal.

When unexpected costs for new appliances, residential roofing repairs and plumbing problems crop up, there’s no landlord to turn to, and these costs can quickly drain your bank account. Make sure you hire a thorough home inspector. If the house you are wanting to buy has a bad roof or other “large” repairs like foundation issues, you need to either choose another house or have the homeowners make the repairs.  Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would be happy to come out and take a look at the house you’re interested in, and give the homeowners a fair price on repairs. So the bottom line is that you need to take things slow. Consider whether you’re ready for the expense and effort of home ownership before pulling the trigger.

If the idea of replacing your traditional asphalt roof every 15 years doesn’t sit well with you, you’re not alone! Many homeowners are sick and tired of asphalt and are investing in a metal roof. After all,  it’s energy efficient, durable and will outlast any asphalt roof on the market!  

Metal roofing is a solid, attractive roofing solution available in multiple colors, textures, and profiles and can save your household up to  40% of its annual energy costs.  Upgrading to a metal roof, means less money out of your wallet, less dependence on energy resources and less general air pollution in your neighborhood and across the nation.  Metal roofing is great for the environment because it can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof, reducing landfill waste as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty. 

It’s not difficult to understand why metal is fast becoming popular for not only commercial but residential use as well.  It’s durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. Another benefit is that metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research shows that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles. What homeowner wouldn’t want to  drastically save on their energy bills? This is a great feature in both the scorching hot summer months as well as the cold winter months. 

Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry. We  would love to come out and give you a free estimate. Industry insiders predict that in twenty years all newer homes will have a metal roof. Let us come out and show you why metal is now the “go to” material when it comes to residential roofing. 

According to a survey conducted by RE/MAX the majority of homeowners would rather remodel than relocate. Most homeowners say their primary reason for renovating is their genuine love for their home, but the desire to enhance future resale value runs a close second. Many homeowners are smart and understand that it is a buyers market out there. That means, great news if you need a house but not so great news if you have one to sell. So, many are opting to “stay put” and make a few home improvement investments.

Let’s talk about a few smart ones that will definitely  increase your resale value and ultimately, help sell your home, one day! First up, kitchens and bathrooms are big! If you have problems in these important rooms, fix them! They are definitely up there when it comes to buyer turn offs. New energy efficient vinyl siding and new windows will also go extremely far with buyers. Plus, you will recoup a great deal of your investment back.

Another area that can really turn buyers off and kill a sale is a bad roof. Whether you are buying or selling a home, a good roof can help you and a bad roof can hurt you.  A great kitchen is important but basics such as the foundation and roof need to also be in tip top shape. If you have loose shingles or other problems you need to make the investment and fix your roof. Keep in mind that while a traditional asphalt roof will last you an average of 10-15 years, a metal roof is probably the last roof you’ll ever need! More and more homeowners are going this route because they like the fact that they won’t have to worry about their roof no matter how crazy the weather is. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why metal roofing is becoming the new “go to” roof for homeowners and business owners!

Does your old, out of date bathroom need a makeover? If your ready to give your bathroom a makeover but don’t want to shell out a bunch of money, we’ve got some great ideas! If your budget is about $150, you can do a lot! Go out and buy paint, vanity hardware, towel and toilet paper storage, and accessories.

First take a look at the bones of your space. Molding, flooring and plumbing tend to be quite expensive to replace, so try to live with them. A bath with innate personality (yes your funky tile) will be showcased best by the addition of subtle accessories. A basic bath, with lets say, a black and white pattern or a simple limestone, requires more eye-popping accessories such as apple green or red walls.

Your sink faucet is another area you can easily update without breaking the bank. For a more consistent look, choose a faucet ($120 to $500) in the same metal that was used for the cabinet hardware It’s easy to overspend on sinks and toilets, so try and spend modestly on the toilet ($190 to $400) and splurge on your sink area.

Wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way. Bold prints, ethnically inspired designs and an array of grass cloths make wallpaper a bathroom luxury that far surpasses even the best paint job. However, the labor can get costly, so try to hang it yourself (if you are handy) or find a friend in the business who is willing to install it for $15 to $20 a roll. Good luck and remember, a beautiful bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune!