People who are thinking about or already preparing to sell their homes want to get the best price possible. As such, they often think that they need to make what seems like a million repairs. The question is whether these repairs are necessary and, if so, which ones to focus on. This guide seeks to provide the answers to these questions.

 

Why Should You Make Repairs, and Which Repairs Should You Make?

It’s no secret that making some improvements to a home can increase buyer interest and potentially fetch a better price. However, that better price could be canceled out by the cost of the repairs you make.

In some cases, repairs are necessary – especially if a mortgage company is involved in the process. If it is a private sale, a cash sale, or there are no required repairs, it’s important to be strategic with the repairs you choose to make.

 

Repairs and Tips to Consider Before Listing Your Home

While repairs and upgrades are up to you, the following are a few areas in which they might be beneficial.

 

Pay Attention to the Appearance

You or an agent will soon be taking photos of your home for the listing, and potential home buyers will be coming for a viewing. When they do so, they want to imagine living their own lives in the space. The following steps can help them imagine a good one. 

• Deep clean and declutter: If you have piles of paper and laundry, or there are grease stains in the corner, it can cast a negative light over the whole home.

• Paint the walls a neutral color: You might love bold colors, but not everyone does. You can both refresh the space and provide a blank canvas for home buyers with a coat of paint.

• Freshen up outdoors: You don’t necessarily need professional landscaping or new exterior paint, but you might consider pressure washing, cleaning up your yard, and doing a little DIY landscaping to add curb appeal.

 

Aim for Move In Ready

Home buyers are generally going to make the house their own by changing up flooring, counters, and more to suit their preferences. Therefore, changing such aspects will not usually provide a good ROI for the seller.

Instead of focusing on “wowing” home buyers, focus on what is necessary to make the home move-in ready. The following are some examples.

• Window treatments: If blinds are old, discolored, or broken, it’s not usually worth it to replace them. Instead, consider taking them down completely and doing a deep cleaning on the windows.

• Windows: Replacing a window screen or the entire window is typically not worth the money. However, replacing a broken window pane can be.

• Flooring and cabinets: Wear and tear is expected in homes, so there is usually no strong ROI for replacing the flooring or cabinets. However, steam cleaning the carpets, restaining or repainting the cabinets, and cleaning and polishing the cabinet handles can improve the appeal of the home. Additionally, adding new grout in flooring areas that are cracked is both affordable and can make a big visual difference.

 

Pay Attention to Necessities

Do you have any major leaks in the home or severe roof damage? Such repairs typically turn home buyers away much more quickly than the condition of the carpet or the color of the walls. It’s wise to focus your repair efforts on the necessities, as well as any known code violations, as they could not only cause you to bring in a lower price but might prevent a sale altogether.

 

Steps and Repairs to Avoid

Though there are no set-in-stone rules, updates and repairs in the following categories might lead to a lower ROI.

• Major renovations: People often look for homes with a certain type of room, like an extra bedroom in the attic or a patio. However, renovating your home in such a way with the intention of selling both takes a hefty investment and limits the types of buyers who might be interested in your home.

• New appliances: Appliance costs continue to rise. As many home buyers bring or buy their own, replacing appliances typically costs more than it brings.

• Trends: Again, home buyers want to envision their life in your home, so providing a neutral canvas is best. Following trends you see on TV or social media can be more harmful than helpful.

Ultimately, any repairs and upgrades you make are up to you. However, following the tips above can help breathe fresh life into your home, attract a wide range of potential buyers, and provide you with a favorable ROI.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Newlin Miller