Provided by Shane Harman, a valued member of our sales team with experience in building/construction, project management and home renovations.
If you’re selling and you’re not sure what buyers are scrutinising when they look through your home, well the answer is – just about everything! And sometimes, little things just escape your attention in your attempts to get your property ready for market. And buyers are savvy. Things you assume will go unnoticed…don’t.
Quick Fix – Tip 1 – Doors
There are many components to doors. The door itself. The door handle. The lever. The latch mechanism. Striker plates. Locks. Hinges. Any one of these components, if not working properly, could deter your buyer from buying your home – or at the very least – attempt to get you to discount the price of your property due to something that – with a little adjustment, could save you the grief.
- Door will not stay closed
If a door sags a little, the latch bolt will be out of alignment with the striking plate. You can correct a small misalignment issue by unscrewing the plate and enlarging its cut-out with a small metal file. Or, remove the striker plate and fix it a little lower down the frame. Use a sharp chisel and a mallet or hammer to extend the recess in which it fits. If the plate has to be moved only a small distance, drill out the old screw holes and fill them with dowels or matchsticks. Drill new pilot holes for the fixing screws. This problem could also occur if the hinges are not secured properly. Loose screws are easily tightened with a cordless drill or a screwdriver.
- Door rattles
Ok. Either the door stop (the piece of timber the door closes into) is too far away from the door in closed position, or simply, the hinges may have come loose. Check over all screws to hinges and tighten. Then the door stop may have to come off (by gently easing off with a chisel, removing old fixing nails and then re- fixing door stop closer to closed door position.
- Swollen doors
The varying temperatures across different seasons can cause swelling or shrinkage in a door, which can cause problems with its function. A door when first fitted, which has not been given sufficient clearance, may swell and cause the door to scrape against the door jamb. This can be fixed by marking with a pencil the spot where it is binding, removing the door and giving it a quick plane with an electric planer (if you have one, or can borrow one).
- Loose door handles
Tighten screws to side of handle with screwdriver or cordless drill.