This is a BIG deal when Selling your Rocklin Home – The Air Conditioner
There are a few major utility items that will always come up when trying to sell your home in Rocklin. Ranking towards the top (right behind a roof) is usually the air conditioner. That’s because, 1. Air conditioners are expensive to replace and 2. You can’t comfortably live in Rocklin without an air conditioner in the summer because 100 degree days are the norm.
Sellers – Here’s How to Prepare
If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, be prepared for the buyer and their inspector to look very hard at the unit. They will be looking to make sure the unit is currently functioning well and that it has been well maintained. Even though it’s impossible to say how long an air conditioner will last, the inspector will estimate the life of the unit. If any issues come up during the inspection, the buyer will typically ask for repairs or a credit.
If your air conditioning unit is 15+ years, buyers start to get nervous that it will not last much longer and they will end up with the cost of replacing the entire unit in the near future. The best thing you can do as a seller is to maintain the unit and get it cleaned and tuned up BEFORE a buyer inspection. You can be confident that your unit is in good working order without surprises from the buyer’s inspector.
Avoid this Mistake
*Sellers Note: You will NOT get your money back on a full air conditioner replacement. For example, if it cost $20,000 to replace the unit, you will NOT be able to add $20,000 on to the purchase price. That’s because a working air conditioner is an expectation that all buyers have. Unless your air conditioner is dead, don’t replace it prior to selling your home. If you do have a new unit installed, it is a nice amenity and it will set you apart from neighboring competitors but you will not get dollar for dollar back.
Buyers – Here’s how to Prepare
If you’re buying a house in Rocklin, inspections are a MUST. A new mortgage is expensive. Moving and setting up a new home is expensive. The last thing you need are surprise emergency repairs!
Among other things, inspecting the HVAC should be at the top of your list because it is one of the most costly items to replace. Before you close escrow on your new home, you should feel confident that your HVAC has some life left in it and will do it’s job for at least a few years. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Get a home inspection.
- Get an HVAC inspection if your home inspector expressed concerns.
- Ask the sellers to repair the HVAC if needs are discovered.
- Get a home warranty that includes HVAC. 99% of the time, your Rocklin real estate agent will write this into the contract for the seller to pay for. It protects the HVAC for the first year you own your home.
- Save for an emergency. Home ownership comes with the occasional surprise repairs. Whether it be for the air conditioner or something else, an emergency repair fund will put you ease when the inevitable repair is needed.
Have a real estate or property management question?
I’m Allan Sanchez, 20 year real estate agent and property manager and I love to talk real estate! If you have a question on your mind, call/text (916) 205-2265 or send me an email: allanshomes@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to help.
This is a BIG deal when Selling your Rocklin Home – The Air Conditioner
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