The cost of home repairs seems to be mounting every year. If your home is in need of several costly repairs, you may find that you’d have to pay more than the home is worth just to get it all fixed! If you can’t afford to make necessary home improvements, it may make sense to sell your home for cash to a company like Lemon Houses.

Here is a list of the five most costly home repair categories:

1. Foundation/structural issues – Lots of foundation problems can be fixed cosmetically, but a repair like that is a stopgap measure at best. The underlying issue causing any foundation problem must be identified and addressed to stop it from causing further damage.
   • Cracks. There’s usually no reason to panic at the sight of a few hairline cracks. However, some cracks definitely warrant closer inspection.
     • Irregular cracks in drywall inside your home that run at a 45 degree angle could indicate a foundational shift that’s tearing the drywall apart.
     • An uneven crack in your floor could mean that one side of your foundation has dropped.

   Outside your home, look for horizontal cracks. They can indicate that there’s too much water behind the foundation. And don’t forget to look up, if you have a multi-story house—cracks above windows and stair-step shaped cracks (on a brick house) can be indicators of serious foundational damage.

2. Wet Ground. Too much water around your house can also create foundation problems. Improper drainage and leaking pipes can cause the soil around your home to waterlog, which can result in a shifted foundation. If you need a new sump pump to pull water away from your foundation, expect to pay an average of $1,101.

If you suspect you have a foundation problem or structural damage, you’ll need to call in a professional. On average, structural repair will cost a homeowner $5,000 to $7,000.

1. Roof – Generally, there’s no way to ignore or “live with” a roof problem. Unrepaired issues will become worse and cause additional problems.
   • Shingles are the site of the most common roof problems. Age, harsh weather, and improper installation can cause shingles to blow or tear off, leaving the wood beneath prone to rot and other damage.
   • Pooling water, usually caused by poorly installed flashing (the sheet metal that’s installed at breaks in a shingled roof to prevent leaks) is a major cause of water damage, not only to the roof, but also to the inside of the home.
   • Chimneys can sag or buckle, causing the roof’s flashing to crack.
   • The soffit, or roof overhang, is a common site for cracks, holes, and rotting.
   • Neglected gutters can get overwhelmed with moisture and debris, causing mold and mildew buildup.

   Roof repairs cost homeowners an average of $700 to $1,000. If you are looking to replace your roof entirely you can expect to pay $5,000 to $15,000.
   

2. Kitchen – Kitchen repairs run the gamut from minor annoyances to major disturbances. Since the kitchen is susceptible to nearly every type of problem that can strike a home—foundational, plumbing, electrical, gas, and more—it can become a very deep money pit
   • Appliances and cabinets are typically the most expensive things to replace in a kitchen. If your stove or refrigerator becomes non-functional, you’ve got to get a new one, whether you’re staying in your home or planning to sell it. New ovens range from about $300 to $2,500 and over. A new refrigerator can cost anywhere from $800 to over $2,000 on average, depending on the style and features. Having a new set of cabinets installed costs, on average, $5,640.
   • Leaky drains and faucets, serious clogs, or broken garbage disposals are good candidates for DIY projects—but unless you’re very sure of your skills, it’s best to call in a licensed plumber to make sure the job is done right. A kitchen plumbing repair can run from $244 on up.
   • Old tile or laminated countertops are vulnerable to damage from everyday wear and tear; 20+ years of daily use can result in peeling, fading, and worn spots. A full kitchen countertop replacement will cost a homeowner $500 to $1,500 on average. Depending on the size of the kitchen and scope of the job, replacing a kitchen floor can cost an average of $2,475.
3. Bath – Like kitchens, bathrooms can have a multitude of problems, from broken tile to leaky plumbing to structural issues. Outdated plumbing is a major cause of bathroom damage.
   • A leaky or constantly stopped-up toilet makes a household far less functional. An average toilet repair costs around $255; having a new one installed runs an average of $434.
   • If you are trying to sell your house, a damaged sink, moldy shower, or unappealing tub aren’t going to captivate any buyers. In fact, updating the bathrooms is one of the most common things sellers do before they put their home on the market. Even a modest, no-frills shower or tub installation is going to cost upwards of $1,500 for professional work. On average, a tub install will cost a homeowner $3,154; putting a shower in runs an average of $3,844.
4. Air Conditioning and Furnaces – HVAC repairs really can’t be neglected. The climate inside your home, along with indoor air quality, affects the comfort and health of your entire family.
   • Broken air conditioner? In Florida, in the summer, you won’t want to live with that for too long. Most homeowners spend between $310 and $450 to have their air conditioning repaired; it can cost up to $800 depending on the labor and materials involved. A new AC system can run anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000.
   • If your home’s furnace is out of commission, your family is going to have a miserable winter. Most common furnace problems include:
     • Pilot or ignition control problems, which result in intermittent heat or no heat at all.
     • Air-flow problems caused by damaged fan motors, belts, and bearings, or dirty or clogged filters.
     • Thermostat problems that can decrease the heat level or stop the furnace from heating completely.

Most furnace repairs cost an average of $256. To replace a furnace, expect to pay around $1,377 on average.

Home repairs can add up quickly, especially if your home , or a home you’ve inherited , has a lot of damage that makes it less livable. If you’ve taken stock of your home’s necessary repairs and decided that the cost is way out of your budget, you may decide that the best option is to sell your home quickly for cash . If you’re considering this option, contact Lemon Houses .

“Curb appeal” is more than a real estate buzzword—it’s something you have to get on board with if you want to make your home appealing to buyers. Luckily, improving curb appeal is fairly easy. Check out these secrets to improving curb appeal. You’ll be amazed at what some hedge trimming and a fresh coat of paint can do!

1. Trim up trees and landscaping – You don’t want to block the view of the front door or any windows—or the house itself. Cut hedges at or below windowsills. Make sure you clear any debris from the planting beds. If your front yard lacks color, consider placing some large potted plants (from a local nursery or hardware store) near the front entrance.
2. Add plants and other foliage – If you don’t have any plants to trim, it’s time to add some! A greenhouse, hardware store, or big-box home store should have a selection of landscape-friendly plants in a range of price points. If you don’t have the time or resources to plant bushes or hedges, consider xeriscape, which combines gravel or other hardscaping with plants that require little water, or “zero-scaping,” which is similar but incorporates plants (usually cacti) only as accents. Whatever you choose to do, keep in mind that a colorful, well-manicured front yard makes an excellent first impression—so don’t neglect it!
3. Paint the exterior of your house – This is an obvious one, but there’s a reason for that. A well-done paint job freshens up the look of the house and just makes it look more appealing. New paint will likely also make your home stand out among the other houses on your street.
4. Paint the front door a contrasting color – This is another easy way to make your house stand out. A good color choice is burgundy; it adds a sharp accent without being too bold or loud.
5. Repair broken and cracked walkways and driveways – Do as much repair on your walkways and driveway as you can reasonably afford. Unrepaired damage will be noticed as potential buyers walk around the property—they can make your home look neglected.
6. Clean the roof – If your roof is in good shape, give it a thorough cleaning. It will help your home make a better impression and shows that you’ve done some upkeep.
7. Repair or replace your mailbox – A shiny new mailbox is a small improvement that has a big impact.
8. Have a nice welcome mat at entry – Again, it’s a small thing, but it looks nice and shows forethought. It makes the house look like an inviting home.
9. Replace old exterior lighting – Just like damaged walkways, old, broken, or otherwise unappealing exterior lighting makes your home look neglected. Even an inexpensive replacement from Target or a hardware store will look better.

Once you start increasing your home’s curb appeal, you might not want to stop! Check out more curb appeal ideas from This Old House.

However, improving curb appeal isn’t the best solution for every situation. Upping curb appeal may be the last thing on your mind if you’re ready to get out of your house and leave homeowner responsibilities behind. If you want to learn how you can sell your house fast—without making repairs or improvements—contact us at Lemon Houses.