It takes an unusually well-organized homeowner to keep on top of all the minor maintenance items that go awry from time to time in every house. So when it’s time to list our Costa Mesa house, many of us don’t even like to think about all the small fixes we’ve gotten used to—but ones we will no longer be able to ignore. Facing an extensive fix-it list doesn’t have to happen if you get in the habit of putting aside a few hours a month to cure individual household failures as they crop up—but it does take a firm commitment to do it!
A while back, the Washington Post’s Jura Koncius made exactly that point in an article that pointed out how most people tend to put off those little renovations until they’re about to list their home—when completing some of the tasks may require parts that aren’t readily available. Her list of six typical fixes was published during the height of the pandemic—but they could be considered an evergreen:
- Tune up the toilet. The sound of continuously-running water doesn’t just waste money—when you’re ready to list your Costa Mesa house, the effect on showings will make it impossible to dismiss.
- Fix a broken door closer. For screen or storm doors, the cylindrical closer that slows down the action has to be in working order, either by lubrication or replacement.
- Silence the bathroom fan. Bathroom humidity may cause ceiling exhaust fans to “get clogged and caked with dust particles.” They may only need to be vacuumed—but that can mean dragging the stepladder upstairs without breaking anything along the way.
- Fix sticky doors. Especially in older Costa Mesa houses, “things move around.” Shifting jambs make diagnosing a door problem the necessary first step—and even if a do-it-yourself solution is beyond your competence level, the cure will probably require no more than an hour or two’s attention from one of our local handymen.
- Improve a dingy laundry room. This is a good one: we tend to get used to oppressive laundry areas, but they can unnecessarily trouble potential buyers. Brighter lighting, repainting a concrete floor, or adding a wall-mounted drying rack (Ms. Koncius plugs one that costs about $75 from Home Depot) are some suggested improvements.
- Add circuits. This is a more major maintenance item, but one that might be a livability improvement that makes your own life in the house more pleasant. If you ever use a space heater and hair dryer at the same time “only to have a breaker pop, shutting everything down,” it’s more than an inconvenience: it’s a safety concern. A licensed Costa Mesa electrician can inspect and determine whether your breaker panel has spare slots or whether more extensive work will be required.
When you vow to stay on top of the little things as they crop up, you’ll be well rewarded when you’re ready to list your Costa Mesa house. That’s also when it’s time to give us a call!
We are built on a philosophy of Heritage & Hustle. The L3 is a full service real estate agency with a regional office located in the heart of #CostaMesa, offering a wide-array of custom services to meet their clients’ needs with roots in the community since 1976. It’s L3 mission is to provide trusted, convenient, responsive service to ensure clients enjoy their real estate experience. The L3 was originally formed to offer personal, concierge-level service as an alternative to the large, nationally based real estate companies. From its small beginnings of only two employees, The L3 has grown to a full staff of 25 serving over 300 clients a year. The L3 is not limited to serving just its clients; it is also committed to serving the community. Not only has The L3 donated hundreds of hours to many area charities, they have also received the prestige of being named one of the #toprealestatecompaniesinCostaMesa If you’re interested in #buyingorsellinginOrangeCounty, turn to the experts. Turn to The L3 and let them help you make your real estate buying or selling dreams come true. For more information or to get started on finding or selling your home contact The L3 today at 714-444-4663 or email us at info@thel3.com
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