What NOT to Fix Before Selling

In the real estate world, most people figure that the homes with the most improvements will sell for the most money. However, It’s not always in the best interest of the seller to invest in home improvements before listing. Oftentimes, the costs of improvements end up being more than the added value of the home. The best person to help navigate what not to fix before selling your home is your real estate agent, but we’ve created a general list of considerations to help when you’re thinking about selling.

Partial Room Upgrades

While it may seem like a smart move to replace that old toilet, it won’t make much of a difference in the eyes of a buyer if there are still the same old cabinets and leaky faucet in the bathroom with it. Nobody wants to see a job half done, and it may look like you’re hiding issues using partial updates to rooms. There is something to be said for preserving the character of a home, but that should be done from room to room rather than partially throughout different spaces.

Potential over Perfection

As a seller, your goal isn’t to present the perfectly renovated home, but to show the potential it has to buyers. The “perfect” home is something most people will see right through anyway, so it’s best to acknowledge the potential of future home improvement projects for buyers rather than spend money yourself on them that you might not get back.

Curb appeal

While easy fixes to a home’s curb appeal are recommended, it’s important not to overdo it. Spending money on a good landscaping job will go a long way when you’re getting ready to sell. Going a step further and fixing issues like driveway and walkway cracks is not worth it, since those issues are not usually enough to scare serious buyers off. 

Cosmetic issues

Fixing Cosmetic issues is something that’s relatively easy to do yourself, but is another job that might not be worth it in the long run. It’s great to make sure your home looks tidy and clean when selling, but don’t feel like you have to give it a complete makeover, Oftentimes, it’s better to leave changes such as new paint jobs and flooring up to the buyers so they can customize it their new home to their specific preferences.

Conclusion

Preparing to sell your home can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. If you’re thinking about getting ready to sell and have no idea where to start, we’re here to help and answer any questions that you have.