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8 Older Home Upgrades That Pay Off

Make sure your older home stands out among the new home competition. Beat housing market challenges with these eight upgrades and you just might sell your home faster.

1. New Roof

On arrival, potential buyers will immediately inspect your home's curb appeal. This includes the roof. So if shingles are flapping in the wind or broken tiles threaten to fall, consider investing in a new roof. A 20 year roof, rather than a 30 year roof, can help save costs. Even if problems aren't as obvious, having an inspection report readily available to soothe buyer roof concerns can only help move the process along quicker.

2. Siding

From the 1930's through the 1960's, asphalt siding was a popular, but ugly choice. Consider adding a fresh coat of neutral paint, or replace it all together. Vinyl siding is more common today, but can easily trap water leading to structural damage, mold and insect infestations if not properly maintained. If you suspect problems, you'll need a certified home inspector to check it out.

3. Double Pane Windows

Double pane windows aren't just a luxury anymore - they're the standard in windows buyers expect. So replace those old school aluminum sliders. Not only will you boost your home's overall curb appeal, but helping potential buyers cut heating and cooling costs is a major selling point.

4. Copper Plumbing

Many older homes were outfitted with galvanized pipes which corrode over time. Although pipes may be the last thing on your buyer's mind, the issue will come to the forefront once the inspection report becomes available.

5. Termite Inspection Report

Even the most inexperienced buyer will have the foresight to request a termite inspection. Why not just get it out of the way? Termite inspections are typically cheap and especially important for older homes.

6. Electrical

Cell phones, computers, PDAs - these marvels of technology are all relatively new. Most older homes aren't equipped with enough electrical power to support all these gadgets. Consider upgrading your electrical system to at least 100 amp.

7. Furnace

If your furnace is 15 to 20 years old, it's probably time for a new one. Most furnaces installed before 1992 are only 60-80% efficient, sending the remainder of the wasted energy up your chimney or vents. Selecting an energy efficient furnace could be a huge selling point, especially in colder regions where heating costs soar. Many of today's furnaces have impressive efficiency ratings in the 90 percentile range.

8. Water Heater

Continue to appease cost savvy buyers by replacing old water heaters. Replacing a 15 year old water heater with an energy efficient one can cut 30 to 50% of a home's energy use.

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

Labels: Home Inspector, How to sell your house