Today I went with a Buyer client to his home inspection on a project home under contract, and we discussed some of the repairs and upgrades he could do on the home.

It looks like there is enough margin in the job to really do a sharp job on the house, and make it very appealing.

We talked about several items, and I developed a recurring response and input:

"Eliminate items that may initiate discussions with potential Buyers."

If you can foresee that an item may develop into an issue, take it off the table.  Proactively avoid the conversation.

Even if it is still working, is it worth it to try to resell the home with a rusty water heater?  Make the issue go away.  Replace it.  And put a blanket of insulation on the new one.

Is the wet spot on the plywood in the attic rotten?  "Well, you are spending $5,000 replacing the roof.  Don't skimp on a $40.00 sheet of plywood, a $40.00 item that if unreplaced says you might have cut a corner.  Take that issue off the table, proactively."

The Buyer's "Wow Factor" is dependent on maintaining the "Wow" throughout the entire viewing of the home.

"Wow!"

"Wow!"

"Uhhh....Inn-Tresting..."  Not good.

More than one "Inn-Tresting?"  Not good at all.

Repetition of "Inn-Tresting" is usually synonymous with "No Sale."

Work your project thinking about eliminating gigs that the next Buyer's Home Inspector might find.

Buying the property "right" includes budgeting for repair of unforseen issues.  Also know as "crying money."  If the money isn't in the budget...You'll be crying.

And crying isn't Inn-Tresting...