If you are ready to put your home on the market, you’ll likely want to sell it quickly and secure the best price. Most homes have general wear and tear, and potential home buyers will take notice. At the same time, you may not have a large budget to spend on your current home, especially if you’re trying to buy a new home. To help you focus on the areas of your home that will attract buyers, consider the following simple home repairs.

Refresh Your Home Exterior: Once you put your home on the market, you want your home to stand out and make a good first impression. Leatha Eaves with Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty shares, “Evaluating your home’s curb appeal is the best place to start, but an exterior refresh doesn’t need to involve a complete landscape redesign. Do a quick clean-up to remove dead or dying plants and add new blooming ones. Always ensure your front entry and porches are clean. Add a fresh coat of paint to your front door and replace the doorknob if needed. These things can give your home an instant inviting look.”

Once your front yard and entryway is tidy, check your home’s exterior for wear and tear. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the outside of your home and repair any cracked or chipped siding.

Inspect Your HVAC unit: Home buyers do not want to be faced with a repair bill immediately after purchasing a home. If you have a central air conditioning unit in your home, make sure it’s working optimally. If cool air isn’t filling the entire home when the unit is turned on or if your unit makes loud noises, it’s a sign your unit needs to be repaired. It is best practice to have the HVAC unit inspected before your home is put on the market. Future buyers can rest assured their new cooling system will work properly.

Ensure Your Flooring is Acceptable. Snagged carpet, broken tiles and stains on flooring detract home buyers. The floors in your home should be in good condition. Dirty carpet should be cleaned or replaced. Make sure any new flooring is consistent with the style and color of existing flooring to avoid a patchwork design. Buyers want to be able to visualize the space they will live in, so a neutral/tan colored carpet works best. If you find wood flooring in good condition under the carpet you are replacing, you should consider keeping it in place. Wood flooring is much more attractive for many home buyers.

Spruce Up Your Bathrooms: You will be surprised by how much a small repair, such as caulking around the sink or tub, can provide big results. Taking time to remove the dirt and grime from the bathroom in your home can make a positive impression on buyers. The flooring condition is as important as it is in the other areas of your home. Fix any broken or chipped tile and steam clean the floors.

Investing in these small home repairs before selling your home can potentially increase your sell price and help ensure your listing doesn’t last long. For more information on home buying, selling or new home construction visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga’s website at www.HBAGC.net.

The record temperatures this summer come with their own set of challenges for your home, from higher utility costs to extra stress on your HVAC system.  However, a few simple improvements can help you avoid significant home repairs and costly utility bills, while increasing the value of your home.

Temperature Check: Installing a programmable thermostat can help you save on heating and cooling costs. This device allows you to customize your indoor temperature throughout the day, which could lead to utility bill savings. Many smart thermostats also alert you to ways you could save more and if there are any issues with your HVAC system.

HVAC Tune-up: Check the condition of your air conditioner and replace your filter regularly. Dirty filters are one of the leading causes of HVAC system failures. When the summer heat is especially intense, keep in mind that most systems are only able to cool homes approximately 20 degrees below the outside temperatures. However, if your system doesn’t seem to be keeping up, you can check with a professional to make sure it's working properly. Additionally, installing ceiling fans if you don’t already have them and adding curtains or shades to windows will keep your home cool and decrease the stress on your HVAC system.

Replace Windows: If you own an older home with original windows, new windows can increase your energy efficiency significantly and provide a return on investment. If old windows are replaced now, the new ones will help prevent heat loss during the winter months as well and provide more indoor comfort. Kim Anderson, owner of Window World of Chattanooga, shares, “When deciding to replace windows in an older home, homeowners need to look for energy-efficient products to improve the value of their home. Window World offers energy efficient windows, siding, doors, and roofs. Not only will the products help with a homeowner’s energy bills but can enhance the appearance of an older home.”

Inspect and Clean Your Dryer Vents: Dryer vents get clogged with lint, which can keep your dryer from functioning well. If your vents are not clean, not only will it take longer for your clothes to dry, but your utility bill may also increase along with the risk of a house fire. A professional can inspect and clean your vent and ensure your exhaust system is working properly.

For a list of qualified professionals to help with your summer home improvements, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga member directory at www.HBAGC.net.