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Selling a home isn’t easy, and once you finally get a deal, you definitely don’t want anything to mess it up! Unfortunately, if an inspection uncovers problems with your HVAC system there’s a good chance it will scare buyers away.
Does this mean you should buy a new HVAC system before selling your home? Maybe not. Let’s take a closer look at some important considerations.
Is a New HVAC System Worth it?
If you’ve found that you need HVAC repair on an older system, you might wonder whether it’s better to fix it before you list your home for sale. From a purely financial point of view, it might be better to just fix your AC.
According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, if you replace your HVAC before listing your house, you can expect to get back about 85% of the cost.
Considering that other upgrades, like remodeling the kitchen, will give you a better ROI, this might not be the best option.
Weighing Your Options
When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s common for real estate agents to suggest replacing your HVAC and anything else that is broken or outdated.
This is a valid recommendation, especially if your system is more than 20 years old. In this case, fears about future heating and cooling repair costs could put your home sale in jeopardy.
Your real estate agent should help you weigh the pros and cons of putting the money into an HVAC replacement.
If you live in the northern part of the country, where air conditioning isn’t commonly used, then this might not have as big of an impact as it would for homes in the hotter parts of the country.
Read Also:
- A Game of Hot and Cold: How to Find the Best Cooling and Heating Company in Your Area
- Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist: Everything You Need to Do for the New Season
- Purchasing a New HVAC System: What Factors You Need to Consider
- The Essential Guide to Choosing the Right HVAC Maintenance Company
- Tips for Choosing a Quality HVAC Contractor
Timing Your Move
If you learn that you need air conditioning repair and your system is near the end of its lifespan, it’s important to think about how soon you plan to move.
If you think you’ll be in the home for six months or longer, it’s probably a good idea to bite the bullet and get a new HVAC system. This way, you’ll have some time to enjoy your investment before selling.
This will also ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting hit with any additional HVAC repair costs between the time of the replacement and when you actually sell your home.
Make the Most of Your Home Sale
When deciding whether to buy a new HVAC system, you may also want to consider that the power is definitely in the seller’s hands right now.
Before you list your home, though, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared.
Take a look through some more of our real estate articles. They’ll help you get ready to list your house and prepare to make your new residence feel more like home.
