When you make the decision to sell your home, it will usually set in motion a slew of other decisions you’ll need to make and actions you’ll need to take. Things like which realtor to go with, what price to set, and what repairs you need or want to make.
Many homeowners want to sell their homes with as little hassle as possible. For these people, it may be preferable to sell the home as-is. This can present certain challenges, however. Most realtors recommend making at least some adjustments.
These include things like code violations. For your convenience, below is a list of common code violations you may consider fixing before putting your home on the market.
1. Smoke Alarms
Sometimes, code violations are easy to fix. Adding in working smoke alarms would be an example of this. This is covered by the National Fire Alarm and Signalling Code.
2. Bad Bathroom Ventilation
How good is the ventilation in your restroom? It may not be good enough! IRC Bathroom Ventilation Code states that you need to have a vent of a certain size that vents the air to the exterior of your home if the bathroom has no windows.
3. Messy Electrical Panels
When you’re living in a house, messy electrical panels aren’t too much of a concern. But if you’re trying to sell said house, they become one. If your panel is overloaded, you’ll need to have an electrician come and take a look.
4. Poor Plumbing
One common area code violations are often spotted is in a home’s plumbing. Have you ever had any non-professional plumbing carried out in your home? If so, you may not have an up to code home.
5. Sub Standard Handrails
Missing or unsecured handrails are two of the most common code violations found in homes. These are important because a faulty handrail can cause injury or even death. Even if they’re at an incorrect height, they can violate the code.
6. Faulty Windows
Windows are one place every code inspector is going to look. The codes here can vary between different local housing authorities. But in general, windows should be free of holes and cracks and fully intact.
7. Unauthorized Renovations
If you own your own home, it can often be tempting to make minor renovations without going through all of the necessary steps. However, when you then go to sell your home down the line, this decision can come back to haunt you. Although many renovations don’t require permits, there are plenty that do, and selling your home without the proper documentation for these is likely going to prove tricky.
Code Violations to Look out for When Selling Your Home
As you can see from this list, there are many code violations to consider when selling a house. Some which you may have never even thought of. These can be costly and arduous to rectify.
If you would like to sell your home without the muss and fuss, Lisa Buys Austin Houses can help. Get in touch with us to discuss selling your house fast and without any hassle now.