One of the most common questions among all home sellers is, ‘What not to fix when selling a house?’ And it’s a good question, for sure! So, if you’re wondering how to prepare your house for sale, you’re in the right place.
Every home seller wants to sell their home for top dollar. But knowing what to fix and what not to fix is always tricky. There are certain things you might consider leaving as they are, especially if the cost of fixing them outweighs the potential benefits. Where do you draw the line between necessary and non-essential?
Here are some tips from seasoned realtors to help you make the right decision.
Consult with your real estate agent before you fix anything
Working with an experienced realtor will give you peace of mind and clarity during the entire selling process. Whenever you’re in doubt, you’ll know who to call. Local real estate agents will tell you loud and clear what’s worth investing in and what’s not. They will advise you to invest in necessary repairs and upgrades that will help sell your house for good money.
Put it on paper
When in doubt, make a pros and cons list. In this case, you should put everything on paper, including all major repairs, the cost of necessary home fixes, and potential updates. This will help identify the most worthwhile investments that add value to your home price and provide a good ROI.
Rule out vanity fixes
Most homeowners get caught up in the so-called vanity fixes. For instance, if you’re planning on repairing something just because you don’t want potential buyers to judge your style or level of cleanliness, then it probably means you shouldn’t fix it. Instead, put yourself in your buyer’s shoes and think about what THEY want.
Remember unusual design choices or personalized decor might not resonate with all buyers. It’s generally better to present a neutral canvas that allows buyers to imagine themselves in the space. That’s how you will draw the best conclusion about what not to fix when selling your house.
Things you usually don’t need to fix when selling
There are some improvements that usually either won’t matter to your potential buyers or won’t provide a high enough ROI. So here are typical home repairs you shouldn’t bother with (especially if you’re working on a tight budget):
- Home appliances
- Driveway cracks
- Major remodeling projects
- Windows
- Outdated cosmetic features
- Removable items – Built in shelves, benches
Ultimately, it’s important to strike a balance between making necessary improvements that will help your house sell at a good price and avoiding unnecessary expenses that won’t significantly impact the selling process.
We hope that this article helped you understand what not to fix when selling your home. It’s important to remember that you can’t fix everything that’s wrong with your house. You can only try to make it as appealing as possible to help your buyers see potential in it.
If you need any help preparing your house for sale, you can always reach out to the Soukup Real Estate team. We’d be happy to help you sell your property for top dollar.
