Do I need to make repairs before selling?

The goal is not to make your home perfect. The goal is to make it market-ready. Here is how I help sellers decide which repairs to tackle and which to skip:

Repairs worth making

• Leaky faucets and running toilets (cheap fixes that signal neglect if left)
• Peeling paint or damaged drywall (fresh paint makes a huge difference)
• Broken or cracked windows (safety issue, visible to buyers)
• Damaged flooring (carpet stains or ripped vinyl raise questions)
• Faulty light switches or outlets (electrical concerns scare buyers)
• Curb appeal issues (overgrown landscaping, dirty siding, faded front door)

Repairs you can often skip

• Cosmetic kitchen updates (unless they are dated, leave them. Buyers may want to remodel anyway)
• Major bathroom renovations (rarely recoup the full cost at sale)
• Replacing perfectly functional systems (if the roof or HVAC works, leave it)
• Structural changes (adding a wall or removing one for resale rarely pays off)

The pre-listing inspection advantage

A pre-listing inspection can help you identify issues before buyers bring their own inspector. It gives you more control over the process and lets you decide which repairs to address upfront versus which to handle through negotiation.

For more on value-adding improvements, read my guide to home improvements that add value.