What buyers and inspectors look at in older homes
In homes that have been loved for 20 or 30 years, inspections usually focus on the roof, the furnace and water heater, the electrical panel, windows, signs of water in the basement, and anything that looks like deferred upkeep. Fixing small, obvious items before you list, or getting a pre-listing inspection, avoids surprises once you have a buyer.
Update, or sell it as it is?
Big remodels rarely return what they cost right before a sale. What usually pays: cleaning, decluttering, neutral paint where colors are dated, light fixtures, and repairs. Dated kitchens and baths can be priced for rather than replaced; many buyers want to choose their own finishes.
If you would rather not do any of it, selling as-is or taking a cash offer trades some price for speed and certainty. We'll show you both numbers side by side so you can choose.
The paperwork worth finding now
- Your purchase closing statement (what you paid).
- Receipts or permits for improvements: additions, a new roof, windows, a finished basement. These can raise your cost basis and lower any taxable gain.
- Your survey, any association documents, and warranties for the furnace, roof or appliances.
See taxes when you sell for how these are used.
Showings when you’ve lived there a long time
We schedule showings in blocks so you're not leaving the house every afternoon, and we can photograph and list the home after you've moved if that's easier. Let us know about pets, medical equipment or anything that needs planning around.
