When you’re about to buy a home, suddenly you have a long list of to-dos! Is the survey something you have to do or can it be skipped? What is the importance of doing this before closing?

Joseph in Raleigh is buying a house and closing soon. The surveyor went to the property, but the sellers ran them off because they didn’t have an appointment. Due to scheduling, there isn’t time to get a survey done before the closing. Is this a problem? What are the risks of closing without an updated survey?

Angie says that even though the surveyor is outside, it’s always best to make an appointment with the seller. The biggest risks come with easements, encroachments, or wanting to install a fence later. Not everyone gets a survey when buying a home, but remember that once you do own the home, future problems would fall on you as the new homeowner.

In another question from the mailbag, Judith thinks her house needs new carpet before selling it, but given the strength of the market, is it worth it? Do you really need new carpet if there are plenty of buyers to go around? Angie says most buyers want move-in ready and you’ll get more traffic (and likely more offers) if this is already taken care of.

What about hardwood floors? Should you get it refinished? Depending on the condition, you may want to consider giving your floors an uplift. While it can be a bit of a hassle, it’s important to show your home in a way that will attract the right buyers.

Listen to the entire episode or click on the timestamps below to skip to a particular question.

0:38 - Mailbag: What are the risks of closing without an updated survey?

2:49 - When is a survey most needed?  

5:46 - Mailbag: Should you replace carpet before listing your home?

6:51 - Are hardwood floors a must to replace before selling?

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