Making repairs is a standard part of home improvements before selling a house. However, some repairs are more important than others. Focusing on the repairs that make the most sense can save you time and maximize your sales price.
Even when the market is good, repairs can be worth the cost. The right presale fixes increase the face value of your home and attract the right kind of buyers. An experienced real estate agent can help you identify what types of repairs can help attract buyers in your area.
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This article will cover the essential repairs to make before selling a house and some major repair mistakes to avoid.
Must-do repairs that affect safety, financing, and insurability
Repairs to prioritize include those related to your home’s foundation, roof, and major systems. These repair issues are the most likely to come up during home inspections.
Some buyers might be required to perform an inspection to get a mortgage. Neglecting these repairs can make it harder for FHA and VA loan buyers to finance and insure the house.
1. Roof and foundation
Roof and foundation issues are paramount because they affect basic safety and comfort. Missing shingles and sagging roof sections can pose a safety hazard to building inhabitants.
Foundation cracks and leaks can cause the home to shift, significantly damaging walls and ceilings.
2. HVAC system
Tuning up your HVAC can make a huge difference in a sale. Typical repairs to make include filter replacement, duct repair, and coil cleaning.
One particularly attractive option is HVAC electrification. HVAC conversion and electrification can net an average 66% return on investment.[1]
3. Electrical and plumbing
Common electrical and plumbing issues to look out for include flickering lights, faulty electrical panels, water pressure issues, and leaks.
Major electrical repairs are dangerous to manage on your own, so hire an expert.
4. Water heater
If your water heater is between 10 and 15 years old, consider replacing it.
New gas or electric water heaters are more energy efficient, and new appliances are a great incentive for buyers on the fence.
Exterior repairs that create curb appeal
Your home’s exterior is the first thing prospective buyers will see, and first impressions are everything. If the buyers see exterior issues, they’ll assume there are interior issues.
Exterior repairs should aim to make your home stand out from others. But they shouldn’t depart significantly from nearby construction, or else the house may look out of place.
1. Paint, siding, and trim
Peeling paint and sagging siding/trim can drastically harm curb appeal. If your home exterior has wood rot, you’ll need to treat or replace the affected sections before painting.
Replacing old siding with new fiber cement siding can net an impressive 88% ROI.[1]
2. Gutters and roofline
Gutters need to have the right pitch and closely follow the roof line.
Water infiltration in your yard can cause foundation problems if left unaddressed, so make sure gutter downspouts drain properly.
3. Walkways and steps
Uneven surfaces, cracks, and damaged stairs can make your home seem unwelcoming. They also create hazards that buyers will have a hard time overlooking.
4. Landscaping touch-ups
The right landscaping accentuates home design and creates a single, continuous aesthetic. Prioritize trimming bushes, lawn edging, and mulching pots, trees, and plant beds.
Easy interior cosmetic fixes that buyers notice
Interior cosmetic updates are some of the best home improvements before selling. These updates don’t fundamentally change your home but make things more attractive to the prospective buyer’s eye.
- Neutral paints, such as beige, white, tan, and grey, make rooms look crisp and neat. Since neutral tones match most decor, buyers can easily imagine themselves in the space.
- Drywall scuffs and holes can upset the balance of rooms, especially on larger walls. Patching these holes can make walls look new and keep wear and tear from showing through.
- Light fixtures and fans can quickly become aged and outdated. New light fixtures and fans incorporate more energy-saving technologies.
- Doorknobs, cabinet pulls, and switch plates subtly combine hardware and colors to create design continuity. These updates especially matter in kitchens and bedrooms.
- Yellow blinds and curtains stick out against new paint, especially lighter colors. Consider replacing all blinds and curtains with new light or dark colors.
It’s easy to go overboard with cosmetic fixes and stretch your budget. Be conservative and stick to general cosmetic features rather than getting too specific.
Kitchen fixes that deliver ROI without breaking the bank
Kitchens are one of the central rooms of the house and can be a major consideration for buyers. Kitchen remodeling returns can range between 50% and 90%, depending on how extensive the remodel is and whether you target midrange or upscale appliances and finishes.[1]
Focus on smaller repairs and replacements. These kitchen fixes provide a good ROI while keeping overall renovation costs low.
- Repainting cabinets is a quick and cost-effective way to breathe new life into kitchen hardware. You can refinish cabinets to rejuvenate them and save money on replacement.
- Backsplashes add design flair and functionality to any kitchen. You can find peel-and-stick tile options to create any backsplash design you want if you don’t want to deal with replacing the current material.
- Countertops are worth replacing, especially if they have chips, cracks, and stains. Quartz and granite are high-end replacement materials, but butcher’s block wood can create a classic feeling.
- Consider replacing old and outdated appliances, such as the stovetop, fridge, or oven. New kitchen appliances offer better performance and energy efficiency, further boosting home resale value.
- You also might want to replace little kitchen hardware finishes, like handles, faucets, racks, and other wall-mounted fixtures.
Small bathroom updates that make a big impact
Bathrooms are a good target because you can perform several minor fixes in lieu of significant renovations. A smaller bathroom renovation can recoup nearly 75% of the costs, higher than many other renovation projects.[1]
Simple fixes to start with include caulking bathtubs/showers and regrouting tiles. New caulk and tiles make the bathroom seem neat and clean. New caulk can also repair shower or tub leaks. You also need to replace shower curtains, mirrors, lights, and other fixtures that are worn and damaged.
Small hardware changes include cabinet hardware. Metal knobs and pull handles are popular for bathrooms because they are easy to clean and maintain.
Unless it has severe damage, you should avoid overhauling the flooring. Instead, replace any broken, damaged, or stained areas.
The last thing to do is deep clean, as a dirty bathroom will create a poor impression.
Flooring repairs: What’s worth replacing?
When most people think of flooring, they probably think of expensive hardwood. However, there are several low-cost replacement options.
For instance, vinyl and laminate are cheap and can mimic the textures and character of materials like wood and tile. New flooring alone can vastly improve the look and feel of a single room.
If you want to keep older hardwood floors, refinishing is a cost-effective option. Removing the top layers of finish and restaining can restore wood’s natural grain and luster. If the flooring is still in good condition, clean it thoroughly and apply a new finish.
For carpets, remove any damaged sections and deep-clean stains. Depending on foot traffic, the average carpet lasts about 7 to 10 years. If your carpet is on the older side, consider replacing it. New carpeting is cheap to install, and it’s relatively easy to recoup the investment.
What NOT to Fix Before Selling Your Home
Knowing what not to repair is just as important as knowing what repairs to make before selling a house. Some repairs are counterproductive and won’t boost resale value enough to justify doing them.
First, don’t worry about luxury or specialty upgrades, including things like heated floors or specialized appliances. These upgrades are niche and don’t have enough widespread appeal to boost your buyer pool.
You should also avoid full-scale layout changes, especially in the kitchens and bathrooms. These projects are prohibitively expensive, and you can often achieve the same effect with minor cosmetic changes. Hardware replacement and new paint can radically change how a space feels.
Lastly, don’t make any changes that are aggressively overpersonalized. The key to selling a house is making it so buyers can easily imagine themselves in the space. Excessive personalized touches make the space feel too specific.
Should you sell your home as-is?
If you are strapped for cash for repairs, you might consider selling your home as-is without making repairs. There are a few pros and cons to this strategy:
Pros
- You can sell the house faster.
- You save money on expensive repairs.
- The house is available for cash buyers.
- There is less hassle during negotiations and closing.
Cons
- The house will sell for less.
- The buyer pool can get smaller.
- Financed buyers might not be willing to take the risk.
If you don’t want to make home improvements before selling, one option is to offer repair credits. Repair credits can help assuage buyer anxiety about a home’s condition without making repairs.
The question remains, though: How much do you lose selling a house as-is? The answer depends on the specific house and what repairs it requires. However, most sellers should expect to receive about 20% to 30% less than they would on the open market.
Quick repairs checklist before selling
Before you proceed with a sale, it helps to do a quick overview of repairs:
- Roof inspection and major structural roof repairs
- HVAC serviced, coils cleaned, and air filters replaced
- Fresh coat of interior paint and finish in major rooms
- Lawns trimmed and plant beds mulched
- Minor drywall damage repaired
- Light fixtures and bulbs updated
- Re-caulk bathrooms and kitchens
- Replace/refinish stained cabinets
- Deep clean carpets, walls, and ceilings
- Fix safety hazards (e.g., wiring, holes, damaged stairs, etc.)
Get expert help from a local real estate agent
Whether you make presale repairs or sell your home as is, you’ll want expert help to navigate this important decision.
An experienced real estate agent can help identify prime repairs to make before selling a house and expected returns. A knowledgeable agent can also streamline sales and help find the right customers. They can also help with sales arrangements and negotiations, such as sellers’ concessions. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), about 88% of recent home sales used an agent, and homes sold without agents go for a lower price than the national median home sales price.[2]
Clever Real Estate can connect you with experienced agents in your area and pre-negotiates a lower commission rate on your behalf, saving you money. And if you want to sell your house as-is, Clever Offers can help you find investors who are interested in homes like yours and even get bids from them, so you can compare to see who’s offering the best deal.