Do’s and Don’ts of Presale Home Repairs

You’ve decided it’s time to sell your home. Your neighbor just sold for a pretty penny, but they also spent a lot on remodeling and renovations. Does that mean you need to upgrade your home to sell?

Is it worth trying to sell as is? Or will your home be passed up and stuck on the market?

Fortunately, full-scale remodels aren’t required to sell your home. Sure, a home reno might fetch more money, but it’s not always worth the time and effort.

So how do you know what’s worth fixing up? Here are the do’s and don’ts of pre-listing home renovations: 

Do:

– Fix trip hazards throughout (and around) the home. Uneven flooring and sidewalks, broken stairs and off-kilter ramps aren’t just noticeable to touring buyers; they’re a downright danger. 
– Fix pet damage and lingering odors. Scratches on doors, torn window screens and holes in the yard will only make buyers wary of further pet damage on the property.

– Fix water stains. Even if you’ve fixed the pipes or plumbing issues, buyers may still worry about mildew or mold problems.

Don’t:

– Make partial updates to older kitchens and baths. Mixing old and new elements only highlight the age of the space. You need to commit to a full upgrade or let the buyer do a comprehensive remodel on their own.
– Decorate the home with trendy or bold colors. Neutral colors photograph better, make the space look larger and help buyers reimagine the house with their belongings. Bold and bright colors do the opposite.

– Renovate beyond what your neighbors have done. Buyers are going to offer what comparable sales suggest, no matter how much money you’ve poured into remodeling.

A few repairs and upgrades can certainly make your home more marketable. But a full-scale remodel? That’s not necessary in most cases.

Are you ready to sell? Get in touch today for a comprehensive review and marketing plan for selling your home.

This content is not the product of the National Association of REALTORS®, and may not reflect NAR's viewpoint or position on these topics and NAR does not verify the accuracy of the content.