Top Repairs to Tackle Before Listing Your Home
When you put your home on the market, you obviously want to get as much as you can for the property. A lot of things can affect your home’s value, including many items that are largely out of your control. That’s not saying that you can’t do anything to bring the value up before listing your home, however. In fact, there are some things that you absolutely need to do before you even think about sticking that “For Sale” sign in the yard.
Depending on what city, county, and state your home is in, there may be code requirements you need to address before you’re allowed to list or sell your property. On top of that, however, here are five fixes that you can make to help get the most from your home when you sell.
Water Stains
If you’ve got water stains on the ceiling or walls, they tell potential buyers that there are leaks somewhere. It’s possible that you already took care of the leak, but a buyer isn’t going to know that, and will likely assume that there’s still a nasty surprise waiting for them somewhere. You obviously need to track down the leak and repair it, but after that’s done you should do something about the water stain as well. Don’t just slap a thin coat of paint on them and call it a day, either; take the time to do it right so that the stains don’t reappear.
Slow Drains
If you have slow drains in your home, this can be a big red flag for some home buyers. They might ask about the plumbing, or even want to run more water to see what the water pressure and drains are like everywhere else. To head off potential problems it’s important to do your best to take care of the issue. In many cases, it’s a relatively easy fix, though there are some causes of slow drains that will take a plumber to straighten out. Still, the effort you put into it now can result in a higher selling price once someone buys the house.
Switches and Outlets
People don’t want to buy houses that have electrical problems. If your switches or outlets look discolored or beaten up, this can lead people to assume that there are problems even if there aren’t. Take the time to replace any damaged, discolored, or malfunctioning switches and outlets, along with any non-working fixtures or “mystery switches” that you might have around the house. Even if it’s not a very big job, it can have a major impact on how potential buyers view your home.
Trip Hazards
Are there any loose bits of carpet or wood on your floor that you’ve learned to just step around? Fix them before you have people in to look at the house. You might have gotten used to them, but a potential buyer won’t be. They’ll see potential tripping hazards as something they’ll need to fix, and they’ll negotiate the price down as a result.
Walls and Ceilings
Are your walls drab, dull, and damaged? Take the time to fix any holes or dings before you list the house. A little bit of drywall repair can go a long way, and this can be a perfect time to update the look of your rooms with a fresh coat of paint as well. Don’t neglect the ceiling either, since those little issues that you’ve learned to overlook will stick out like a sore thumb to potential buyers.
Need Help?
If you have some repairs to make before listing but don’t know where to start, HomeKeepr can help you find the pro you need to get your home in tip-top shape. Sign up for a free account today to find pros in your area that come recommended by people you know and trust. They’ll get your home ready to sell and won’t cost you an arm and a leg to do it.Hi {first_name},
When it comes to home improvements, there are few things that are requested more often than kitchen islands. Having a kitchen island can totally change the way that you work in your kitchen, and in some cases, they can even add new functionality that you might not have had before. Because they’re such a hot commodity in a lot of homes, having a kitchen island in place can even increase the value of your home if you decide to put it on the market!
So what makes for a good kitchen island? Long gone are the days when a kitchen island was just an additional surface to set things on while working in the kitchen. If you’re thinking about installing a kitchen island of your own, here are a few things you could consider adding to it to make it a modern, functional island.
Cooking Surfaces
Many modern kitchen islands contain burners, full stovetops, or other cooking surfaces. Some even contain griddles or electric grills, giving you cooking options that your standard cooktop might not offer. This both allows you to cook in different ways and gives you more surfaces and heat sources to work with when you’re fixing a large meal. Depending on the design of the kitchen island and the specific cooking surfaces added, you can either give the island an electric connection or hook it up to an existing gas line.
Island Appliances
Cooking surfaces aren’t the only things that people include in kitchen islands. You might also see appliances such as ovens, mini-refrigerators, or dishwashers included in the island as well. In some homes, you might see less common appliances included as well such as a steamer, warming bin, or wine cooler. If there are electrical outlets built into the island, you might also include countertop appliances such as a stand mixer, toaster, or can opener.
Kitchen Prep Areas
One common reason for installing a kitchen island is to add a prep station to the kitchen that is separate from other kitchen surfaces. This can involve adding additional features, such as a small refrigerator to keep prepped items cold until you’re ready to cook. Some must-haves for a prep area on your kitchen island include a sink and some form of cutting surface. Ideally, the sink should be deep enough to wash vegetables and other food items and should have both hot and cold running water. The cutting surface can take a variety of forms, though butcher block is a popular option. Having a rack or storage for cutting boards and possibly a built-in knife block are also popular options.
Additional Storage
If there’s one thing that almost every kitchen needs, it’s more storage. Your kitchen island can help with this, giving you a place to add additional drawers, shelves, or cabinets. Spice racks or other ingredient storage is also a popular option to add. If you want to make the most use of your kitchen island space, you can also add a hanging rack above your kitchen island for pots, pans, and other cooking items.
Stow-Under Seating
Some people want to be able to use their kitchen island as a place to enjoy a quick meal, especially at breakfast or lunch. Stools or other small seating options that store under a lip on the kitchen island can make this happen, providing easy access seating that stores out of the way when not in use. Seating space can be added on top of other features, typically by letting the side of the island that faces away from the main kitchen be used for seating while the interior-facing side is more functional.
Testimonials
"
Ted M. Daigle did an excellent job for us. We saw a home in Ohio we wanted. I called Ted and he went to work. He recommended a cleaning service and personally did extra things in order to get home ready.
He went above his normal responsibility. Priced the home at appraisal value.
Calmed nervous questions, guided us though the process.
He is a credit to his industry.
"
- Rick
"
My fiancé and I are first time homebuyers and Ted made our home buying experience stress and smooth as possible. We have a two-year-old daughter and she loved him as well. The home buying process can be very stressful and we didn’t feel any of that with Ted as our realtor. Any question we had he made sure he went out his way to give the correct information to us and broke it down for us to understand. He is very sweet and glad we chose him to be our realtor! We couldn’t see our selves dealing with anyone else! Definitely 5 star service!!!!
"
- Keyaunana Carpenter
"
We are interested in moving to the Lafayette area and Ted Daigle has been everything we would want as a Realtor. Efficient, knowledgeable and helpful with every aspect of guiding a person to fulfilling their dreams of buying a new house.
"
- Carrol
"
Ted was AWESOME!!! He made the process very easy, no question was a dumb question, and he had a lot of patience. He also wasn’t a nag, he waits for you to reach out to him. Glad I got a chance to work with him and not to mention his bbq sauce is bomb!!!
"
- Adams
"
As a first time buyer, Ted made the effortless. He answered any questions I had and provided me with everything needed to help me along with the process. I highly recommend him if in the market for a new home.
"
- Jordan Henry
"
Ted is a great agent! Highly recommend! Very knowledgeable, provided quick response and was really engaged to help us to sell and purchase our home. He is not just an awesome professional but also a nice friend. Glad we had the opportunity to work with him and his team!
"
- Patricia
"
Ted is a down-to-earth and truly caring person that is an expert in his field. As first-time home-buyers, we felt like we took a crash-course with Ted's excellent advice following us as well as guiding us all the way through. Ted is also a very patient man. With all of the multiple things that we learned as we went, occasionally we changed our minds about the size of the yard we'd accept or the age of the house or the number of renovations we were willing to make, and Ted stuck by us as we switched it up multiple times. He provided valuable advice and was always willing to answer my questions and my husband's questions no matter how small or inconsequential. Within a day he would get back with an answer or at the least a contact/resource to help us move forward. He had good ideas for inspectors, costs, issues we might face, and an understanding of just about every neighborhood in the Acadiana area, from resale values to noisiness and traffic issues, and a number of other knowledgeable things that only a person who is committed to his work and has a number of years experience would know. Finally, Ted was honest - and let's face it, in this world that is priceless. So don't even question it: Go with Ted - he works for his living very hard because he works for his clients day and night, with the best intentions, the best resources, and the best attitude one could hope for during the difficult process of buying home. I would definitely use his services again. Team Ted all the way.
"
- Ryan W.
"
My husband and I just closed on our dream home thanks to Ted. We were first time home buyers and didn't have a clue as to what was entailed in the home buying process. Ted reached out to me about a house I was looking at online. He agreed to meet up with us and show us the house. This was on a Sunday afternoon. He answered all of my questions and explained the process to me. He sent me written information as well as kept in touch by phone with anything he thought I need to know. He got to know my husband and I to help figure out the type of home we were looking for. He went above and beyond to help us find our dream home. He is definitely a go-getter. We absolutely love our home and we gained a new friend in the process.
"
- Cheryl
"
When we decided to put our home up for sale, there was no question that Ted Daigle with EXP Realty would be our listing agent. We have known Ted personally for many years and knew he would be the best choice based on his personality, professionalism and his knowledge of the local real estate industry. There was no doubt that Ted with EXP Realty stood out as the best our area has to offer: their organic rankings are excellent (meaning people find listings on his site easily), their social media presence was strong, and I could tell he put a lot of work into his listings.
We spoke with Ted and then met with him at our home. He spent ample answering our questions, providing objective data regarding how many homes they sell, how long their listings typically stay on the market and providing tons of info on comps in the area. Ted made the process incredibly easy and took extra steps many other Realtors don't (but should), like giving us staging tips, having professional photographs taken, and a lot more.
When we saw our listing we were blown away. The drone footage, video, and photography that he incorporated were priceless. His hard work and knowledge of what it takes to sell a home really paid off - our listing looked amazing and knocked out the competition. The first potential buyer that saw the property put in an offer.
Our house went under contract 7 days after we put it on the market at 1% under asking price. We accepted and Ted (and his assistant Myka, who was also incredibly knowledgable, friendly and helpful) walked us through every step of the closing process. It couldn't have been a more pleasant experience.
I've recommended Ted with EXP Realty to everyone I know. He's a true professional and just one of those guys that you would love to know. I realize it won't always be this easy to sell your home, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better realtor.
"
- Paul B.
"
We just purchased our first brand new house and I’m positive it wouldn’t have happened without Ted! He is very attentive and answered all our questions, even the ones I sent at night or on weekends. I would highly recommend Ted to anyone who is looking or even thinking about purchasing a new home!
"
- Jamie
"
What an incredible, personable, and amazing realtor to work with !!!!! He made buying a house fun!!! He worked with me for about a year until I found what I wanted!
"
- Matt Ackman
"
When we decided to put our home up for sale, there was no question that Ted Daigle with EXP Realty would be our listing agent. We have known Ted personally for many years and knew he would be the best choice based on his personality, professionalism, and knowledge of the local real estate industry. There was no doubt that Ted with EXP Realty stood out as the best our area has to offer: their organic rankings are excellent (meaning people find listings on his site easily), their social media presence was strong, and I could tell he put a lot of work into his listings.
We spoke with Ted and then met with him at our home. He spent ample answering our questions, providing objective data regarding how many homes they sell, how long their listings typically stay on the market and providing tons of info on comps in the area. Ted made the process incredibly easy and took extra steps many other Realtors don't (but should), like giving us staging tips, having professional photographs taken, and a lot more.
When we saw our listing we were blown away. The drone footage, video, and photography that he incorporated were priceless. His hard work and knowledge of what it takes to sell a home really paid off - our listing looked amazing and knocked out the competition. The first potential buyer that saw the property put in an offer.
Our house went under contract 7 days after we put it on the market at 1% under asking price. We accepted and Ted (and his assistant Myka, who was also incredibly knowledgable, friendly, and helpful) walked us through every step of the closing process. It couldn't have been a more pleasant experience.
I've recommended Ted with EXP Realty to everyone I know. He's a true professional and just one of those guys that you would love to know. I realize it won't always be this easy to sell your home, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better realtor.L
"
- Paul & Mimi Bellow
"
Ted Daigle is an awesome real estate agent! He is very knowledgeable and so easy to work with. The process of selling our Lafayette property went smoothly because of him. We highly recommend Ted!
"
- Hollier Farms
"
Ted Daigle is everything a realtor should be (and so much more!). First, he makes the whole process extremely smooth and easy. This includes things like paperwork, finding bids, etc., but it also includes how likeable of a guy he is, which makes the process more fun. Second, he goes above and beyond his job duties. (After closing, he helped the seller move her flowers/plants out of the yard: he was worried about her getting heatstroke, and he know this would mean the yard would be 100% mine sooner, rather than later [I had given the seller an extension for removing plants/flowers.]
Third and most importantly, he actually has the client’s best interest in mind! Other realtors will prefer a high sales price, even if they are representing the buyer, since this increases their commission. By contrast, Ted worked so hard to get me the best deal possible! This meant he made less money, but that doesn’t matter to him, because he truly wants the best for his clients.
Had I chosen a different realtor (or none at all), I would have ended settled for an overpriced, problematic house. Thanks to choosing Ted, I ended up purchasing my dream home, and paying less for it than the worse alternatives I would have settled for.
"
- Jesse Saloom
"
Ted Daigle is everything described in his bio and more High energy, very well informed Very well prepared. He really does his homework and personalizes his selections, tailored specifically for your needs.
His laid back attitude makes for a wonderful no-pressure experience. We will definitely be buying from him.
Keep up the great work, Ted!
"
- zuzser
"
Buying a house is the first grownup thing my husband and I have done since getting married. Haha Ted helped us understand every part of the process and patiently explained the answer to every one of my many anxious questions. He helped us find a house we could afford so we can start saving for our future.
"
- Joanie
"
Ted is amazing! He is kind and honest. He did not pressure us to buy a home. He wanted us to have what we wanted. He is quick to answer questions and pointed out positive as well as things that we missed. I would definitely recommend him for those reasons and the ease of the home buying process!!
"
- Casey Soileau
"
Ted is a stand-up guy who is willing to help anyone. Very informative, helpful, and passionate. Definitely not one of those realtors who hunt you down and won’t stop calling you. He’s very nice, patient, resourceful, and punctual when responding to inquiries. Myka is also sweet as pie, resourceful, and has all of the paperwork ready to sign for everything. Really great team, definitely my realtor for life.
"
- Raven
"
Ted is everything described in his bio and more High energy, very well informed Very well prepared
He really does his homework and personalizes his selections, tailored specifically for your needs
His laid back attitude makes for a wonderful no pressure experience a We will definitely be buying from him Keep up the great work, Ted!
"
- John
"
Ted is an absolutely wonderful guy! We were first-time homebuyers and he was super patient with us. Ted explained everything very well, helped us through the whole process and was super professional. HIGHLY recommend him! He was very knowledgeable and quick to respond to everything! Definitely one of the best!
"
- Aprel
"
Working with Mr. Daigle was a very good experience. Ted takes his job seriously as well as his clients. Ted is very flexible and understanding in which you will experience while working with him. He is also a personable person and easy to like. Ted also looks out for the best interest of his clients in which I haven’t seen with a lot of other real estate agents I have worked with. I strongly recommend Ted Daigle as a real estate agent if you are buying or selling a home.
"
- Joshua Mckinsey
"
The moment we first decided to purchase a home all the way to closing day Ted Daigle walked us through it all. He helped with every question and concern we had. If you want a stress free worry-free home purchase experience I recommend giving Ted Daigle a call.
"
- Lucresha
"
Ted is everything a realtor should be (and so much more!). First, he makes the whole process extremely smooth and easy. This includes things like paperwork, finding bids, etc., but it also includes how likable of a guy he is, which makes the process more fun. Second, he goes above and beyond his job duties. (After closing, he helped the seller move her flowers/plants out of the yard: he was worried about her getting heat stroke, and he know this would mean the yard would be 100% mine sooner, rather than later [I had given the seller an extension for removing plants/flowers.]
Third and most importantly, he actually has the client’s best interest in mind! Other realtors will prefer a high sales price, even if they are representing the buyer since this increases their commission. By contrast, Ted worked so hard to get me the best deal possible! This meant he made less money, but that doesn’t matter to him, because he truly wants the best for his clients.
Had I chosen a different realtor (or none at all), I would have ended settled for an overpriced, problematic house. Thanks to choosing Ted, I ended up purchasing my dream home and paying less for it than the worse alternatives I would have settled for.
"
- Jesse Saloom
"
My fiancé and I are first time homebuyers and Ted made our home buying experience stress and smooth as possible. We have a two-year-old daughter and she loved him as well. The home buying process can be very stressful and we didn’t feel any of that with Ted as our realtor. Any question we had he made sure he went out his way to give the correct information to us and broke it down for us to understand. He is very sweet and glad we chose him to be our realtor! We couldn’t see our selves dealing with anyone else! Definitely 5-star service!!!!
"
- Keyauana
"
As a first time buyer, Ted made the effortless. He answered any questions I had and provided me with everything needed to help me along with the process. I highly recommend him if in the market for a new home.
"
- Jordan H.
"
Great experience, great guy, highly recommend! Ted Daigle made the experience exciting as well as took a major load off of our shoulders while assisting with resources and paperwork. Would definitely recommend Ted.
"
- Greer
"
Ted is an AMAZING ! Get with him if you need to find a home . He is very responsive. Very caring and keep you uplifted about buying a home after getting frustrated. He always just one phone call away . If I asked about a home he works on it right away .
"
- Kiersten Mitchell
"
Ted Daigle is the man! I called him about a property I was interested in and the next thing I know it was mine!! Ted loves what he does. Thanks for everything!
"
- Jared
"
Ted Daigle was a great help in purchasing my first home. I had a lot of questions that he was patient and thorough in answering. I never felt like I wasn’t his first priority, as he always seemed to be on top of things. I have already referred several family members to him and will definitely call Ted again for future real estate purchases.
"
- Byron
"
My fiancé and me felt relieved when we found Ted Daigle, we had an ugly experience with a previous agent and Ted came to save the day. He listens to our concerns and has answers for all of our questions. He even works around your work schedule. I definitely recommend Ted for those in the process of buying a home.Less
"
- Skylar
"
Ted has great knowledge of the local market and will work hard to get your home sold.
"
- Corey Simon
"
Great realtor and very knowledgeable of his market and other markets. Goes out of his way to help you. Very personable person.
Highly recommend him for real estate needs.
"
- Carrol Crow
"
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about Ted and his staff! He is willing to go the extra mile to make sure that you are satisfied with whatever it is you are looking for. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell.
"
- Tavorus Robinson
"
Many thanks to Ted and his staff for a great experience in our search for a new home. Ted and Myka work very hard to be helpful, informative and take a personal interest in you and your families needs in the search and purchase of a home. I highly recommend this team of real estate professionals.
"
- James
"
Ted is an AMAZING! Get with him if you need to find a home. He is very responsive. Very caring and keep you uplifted about buying a home after getting frustrated. He always just one phone call away. If I asked about a home he works on it right away.
"
- Kiersten Mitchelle
"
Ted Daigle has made the searching process such a breeze! He is very patient and personable and truly listened to what we wanted and didn’t want. We had so many questions, being first time home buyers, and he answered them with ease. He walked us through the process and we have just made an offer on our first home with his help!
"
- Alexis
"
Ted Daigle has been amazing through this journey! He was always open and willing to talk or answer questions and show houses, even on nights and weekends. Being a first-time homebuyer, he really broke down the home buying process for us and made sure we understood what was going on and why.
"
- Jeremy Burleigh
"
Ted is an excellent agent! Always ready to help. He’s very professional and ready to go the extra mile. I highly recommend using Mr. Daigle.
"
- Nick
"
This was my 3rd purchase but my very 1st as a single mom. Just as I was giving up, Ted Daigle showed up in armor and dagger.... well, it was actually a pencil, clipboard, and cellphone...and saved the day! This man changed my family’s life and did everything he could to secure my purchase and helped me make the greatest decision of this new chapter! He was the most truthful and honest realtor.... and MAN.. that I’ve ever worked that did not add in his own biases, change my decisions, nor pointed me in the wrong direction. Thank you, Ted!! You’re the best!
"
- Maria
"
Ted has made the home buying process easy and less stressful. I’m so glad we have had the opportunity to work with a realtor with the experience and knowledge that Ted has. I would highly recommend working with him!
"
- Shelby
"
Ted is an awesome real estate agent! He is very knowledgeable and so easy to work with. The process of selling our Lafayette property went smoothly because of him. We highly recommend Ted!
"
- Hollier Farms
"
Ted is definitely the realtor to go with. He is genuine, honest, and kind. He doesn't try to push you into anything you aren't sure of and even points out things you may miss. Amazing experience!
"
- Casey Soileau
"
Ted is a down-to-earth and truly caring person that is an expert in his field. As first-time home-buyers, we felt like we took a crash-course with Ted's excellent advice following us as well as guiding us all the way through. Ted is also a very patient man. With all of the multiple things that we learned as we went, occasionally we changed our minds about the size of the yard we'd accept or the age of the house or the number of renovations we were willing to make, and Ted stuck by us as we switched it up multiple times. He provided valuable advice and was always willing to answer my questions and my husband's questions no matter how small or inconsequential. Within a day he would get back with an answer or at the least a contact/resource to help us move forward. He had good ideas for inspectors, costs, issues we might face, and an understanding of just about every neighborhood in the Acadiana area, from resale values to noisiness and traffic issues, and a number of other knowledgeable things that only a person who is committed to his work and has a number of years experience would know. Finally, Ted was honest - and let's face it, in this world that is priceless. So don't even question it: Go with Ted - he works for his living very hard because he works for his clients day and night, with the best intentions, the best resources, and the best attitude one could hope for during the difficult process of buying home. I would definitely use his services again. Team Ted all the way.
"
- Jonnie Thompson
"
I'll just say, Ted, is amazing. He did an amazing job throughout this whole process. He is not just a real estate agent, he is a friend.
"
- Lakondra
"
If you’re looking for a realtor that is a hustler, get Ted! He was non-stop showing me homes and sending me homes daily. If there was a home that I liked and wanted info on his words were “I’m on it!” I will forever be grateful for the amount of time and effort he put into finding a home for me!
"
- Jennifer Mire
"
Ted is an absolutely wonderful guy! We were first-time homebuyers and he was super patient with us. Explained everything very well, helped us through the whole process and was super professional. HIGHLY recommend him! He was very knowledgeable and quick to respond to everything! Definitely one of the best!
"
- Aprel
"
Ted Daigle has been a great realtor so far we are in the process of buying our first home he is so patient with us and very knowledgeable. We toured a lot of homes and he was very helpful and understanding to find our wants and needs in a home. We highly recommend Ted to anyone looking for a realtor that is very patient not pushy and makes the home buying process easy.
"
- Kaley
"
Being a first-time homebuyer, there’s not much I knew going into the process besides for the countless hours spent on Zillow. Ted was an expert when it came to bringing all the dreams to real life. He took the time to walk through the process with me over the phone and made sure that I understood everything that was happening. A text or call was always answered. Trustworthy, dependable, and knowledgeable. I’d highly recommend working with Ted. The team he has is amazing as well!
"
- Jeff
"
We had a great experience with Ted! We were searching for a second home from California and he was excellent in assisting us through the process from beginning to end. He was in constant communication day and night with us, and really made us feel taken care of through the entire transaction.
"
- Mike
"
If you are looking for someone to take care of your real estate needs in the Lafayette area, Ted Daigle is your man! When we decided to look for a house, we contacted Ted with our wants and needs. He took it from there. Not being from the area, communication was key and Ted never let us down. He was always quick to respond to our questions and concerns. Throughout the entire process, he made sure that all of our issues were addressed and that we were completely satisfied. He found us just the house that we wanted and went above and beyond in handling the sale. We highly recommend Ted and his staff! You will not be disappointed!
"
- Diane Crow
"
Ted has been great during our home buying and selling process!
He listed and sold our home in less than 24 hours and was very helpful and communicative throughout the entire process!
"
- Jacob Duhon
"
Being a first-time homebuyer, there’s not much I knew going into the process besides for the countless hours spent on Zillow. Ted was an expert when it came to bringing all the dreams to real life. He took the time to walk through the process with me over the phone and made sure that I understood everything that was happening. A text or call was always answered. Trustworthy, dependable, and knowledgeable. I’d highly recommend working with Ted. The team he has is amazing as well!
"
- First-Time Buyer
"
Ted was AWESOME!!! He made the process very easy, no question was a dumb question, and he had a lot of patience. He also wasn’t a nag, he waits for you to reach out to him. Glad I got a chance to work with him and not to mention his bbq sauce is bomb!!!
"
- Alicia M.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of the REALTOR Association of Acadiana MLS. This IDX information is provided exclusively for consumer's personal, non-commercial use. It may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.
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