When it comes to selling your house, the to-do list of things to consider when getting your property ready for sale can become extensive. This list of jobs can expand quickly: before you know it, you are dedicating lots of time, money, and energy to home improvements. During this process, you need to decide which jobs are most worth your time and consider which efforts are justified. It turns out that not everything needs fixing. Before you call the real estate agents, there are things you do not have to do to prepare to sell your house.
To ensure a sales process that prioritizes time, money, and effort, let’s talk through the “do not fix list.”
10 Things You Should Not Fix Before Calling The Real Estate Agent
1. Normal Wear And Tear
When potential buyers look around your home, they are unlikely to notice its very minor cosmetic flaws. General wear and tear are normal, and fixing every issue is likely going to build up costs. Instead, focus on the important repairs that obviously need attention – these are the things that your buyer is going to take note of. Don’t spend more money than you need to in order to get the best asking price.
2. Minor Electrical Issues
It goes without saying: that major electrical issues need attention due to their safety risk. For example, exposed wires might present a potential hazard. However, small electrical faults aren’t going to scare off a new buyer. Some of these minor faults might include:
- Scuffed up light switch
- Dangling light fixtures without shades
Major problems that present code issues will be on the inspection reports prepared by qualified home inspectors. If a faulty HVAC unit is on this list, schedule ac repair before you sell the house. Fix these and don’t spend money on the minor problems.
3. Exterior Property Cracks
If your driveway or walkway has hairline cracks, a new buyer is unlikely to notice them. Fixing every small crack around the exterior of your property could end up an endless task. Unless any walkway cracks are presenting a safety risk, avoid fixing every single one.
Likewise, unless minor cracks in the house’s side are a serious structural issue or damaging your home’s curb appeal, you can leave them alone.
4. Outdated Parts Of A Room
Parts of your home might be outdated, and this is normal. All the houses in your area have individual features. Leave the outdated stuff and don’t embark on a major renovation. Not only does this make financial sense because you will save money, there’s no guarantee prospective buyers will like your choices. Leave it to them to decide.
5. Removable Pieces of Furniture
Your house might contain some outdated furniture, shelving, or windows. However, replacing removable items isn’t necessary. A potential buyer wants a beautifully furnished house, but they can pay for it themselves. Some of these things to leave in place are:
- Window treatments
- Shelving and Storage additions
- Garden accessories
What buyers want is not perfection, but possibilities.
6. Old Appliances
Replacing every old appliance in your home is also unnecessary, and your new buyer won’t expect you to do this, anyway. Brand new appliances can be extremely expensive. Besides, potential buyers may wish to choose their own. If you wish to replace some appliances, avoid buying them brand new. There are plenty of second-hand appliances on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree that may still be an upgrade of your current ones.
7. Repainting Some Parts of the House
If you’re going to redecorate, consider that a partial remodel in some rooms might make your other rooms look outdated. If you’re going to redecorate, painting consistent across all of your rooms. Also, steer clear of repainting in trendy paint colors you think are going to appeal to your new buyer. They might decide they want a completely different color scheme, anyway.
8. Replacing Old Windows
It’s important to make sure windows are clean from dirt and grime, but replacing them entirely isn’t necessary. If your windows are old but functional, then replacing them with brand new ones isn’t something you need to do pre-sale. Purchasing new windows and fitting them can be extremely costly. If your windows meet your neighborhood’s norm, then leave them in place.
9. Carpet or Flooring
Naturally, nothing beats the look of brand-new carpets across a property. However, replacing your old carpets before the sale isn’t necessary. Carpet and flooring upgrades may not help your home sell quickly, could cost more for the square footage than they bring back in the home’s value, and might clash with a buyer’s preferences for trendy colors, hardwood floors, or other cosmetic issues.
10. Starting Something that You Can’t Finish
Last but not least, it’s crucial to remember that you should complete any job you decide to start. Doing partial fixes during the home selling process will not come across well. A few things you might consider doing, but should avoid, include:
- A kitchen remodel or replacing the kitchen cabinets
- Adding decks, carports, or garages
Don’t launch a big project without doing a comparative market analysis. A local agent will be able to tell you how much your project increased the value of comparable homes. If the value doesn’t go up enough when the project is finished, don’t waste any extra cash.
What You Should Fix Before Selling a House
We’ve discussed the things that simply aren’t worth doing when it comes to selling a house. However, there are some tasks that will be worth fixing beforehand to maximize the chances of making a good first impression on your buyer. Some home repairs are necessary when it comes to safety or any hazardous features. If something in your home is obviously broken, such as curtain rods, doors, or a broken AC system, ensure to get this repaired. You need to ensure that the property is suitable for your prospective buyer to move into comfortably.
Most buyers are attracted to clean spaces with neutral colors – so focus some effort on ensuring your house isn’t covered in bold, extravagant colors and decor. If this is the case, a fresh coat of white or grey shades is going to boost the chances of your home sale and appeal to most people. Alongside this, focus on maximizing the natural light entering your property – this might include a bit of garden maintenance to trim down bushes or foliage blocking a window, or giving your windows a clean-up.
In doing these fixes as a home seller, you are giving your house a chance at success in the real estate market, without wasting unnecessary money.
