Selling your house is a big move. You want to get the most money for your home and want the sale to happen fast. But what should you fix? And what should you leave alone? It can be confusing. You want a higher asking price or want to sell your home faster. The secret is knowing where to put your money. You need to focus on low-cost home improvements. These fixes give you the best return on investment (ROI).
In this blog post, we will cover the 7 home fixes you must complete before selling. These are the simple, cost-effective repairs that make a huge difference in price. They help buyers feel good about your home and make their home look ready to move in.
Let’s explore the smart way to get your house sold for top dollars.
Why Bother with Repairs?
Many sellers ask if repairs are worth the trouble. The answer is yes. Most buyers today are busy. They do not want to buy a house that needs a lot of work and look for a home in move-in ready condition. A home that looks clean and well-cared for gives buyers peace of mind.
Doing small fixes before you list is smart. It helps you fix issues before the buyer’s inspection. This means fewer surprises later. It gives you control. You get to fix things on your budget and avoid repairing concessions. These fixes are not just costs. They are an investment to increase home value before selling.
Fix 1. Boost Your Curb Appeal
Buyers often decide if they like a home in the first few seconds. Many will drive by a house before they even schedule a showing. This is your first impression. You must make it count. This is why curb appeal upgrades are so important.
Great curb appeal does not have to cost a lot. Start with the yard. Mow the grass. Pull the weeds. Trim the bushes. Add a fresh layer of mulch to flower beds. Plant some new, colorful flowers on the front walk. These are very low-cost home improvements.
Look at your house from the street. Does it look fresh or tiring? A power wash can make siding and driveways look new again. This is a very cost-effective repair. Studies from real estate groups show that homes with high curb appeal can sell for up to 7% more than similar homes.
Fix 2. A Fresh Coat of Paint
Paint is a seller’s best friend. It is cheap, and it has a massive impact. This is one of the most important of the 7 home fixes you must complete before selling. This applies to both the outside and the inside of your home.
Your Front Door: The Real Welcome Mat
Let’s start with your front. Your front door is the focal point. A sad, faded front door makes the whole house look old. A simple repaint of the front door is a great project. You can do it in one afternoon. A bold, fresh color can be very welcoming. If your door is in bad shape, a front door replacement might be needed. But for most, good cleaning and painting work wonders. Also, look for any areas that need exterior paint touch-ups.
Inside: Go Neutral, Go Big
Inside the house, the painting is even more powerful. You may love your bright red dining room. But the buyer might not. The goal is to help buyers picture their own lives in their homes. This is why you need fresh interior paint. Choose light, neutral colors. Think soft gray, beige, or warm whites.
Neutral colors do three things. They make rooms look bigger. They make rooms look brighter. And they help buyers depersonalize the space. Buyers can easily imagine their own furniture with neutral walls. A full interior repaint has an ROI of over 100%, according to many home improvement reports. It truly is one of the best selling house tips.
Fix 3. Patch Those Walls and Holes
While you are thinking about painting, look closely at your walls. Do you see small nail holes in the pictures? Are there scuffs in the hallway? Is there a small crack in the plaster? You must patch nail holes and repair wall damage.
This seems like a small thing. But to a buyer, a wall with many holes looks like a lot of work. It ruins the “move-in ready” feeling. A buyer might wonder, “If they did not fix this small thing, what big things did they ignore?”
Fixing these small spots shows you cared for your home. It builds buyer confidence. A tub of spackles and a little sandpaper are cheap. This is a fix you can easily make yourself. It is a key step before you apply that fresh interior paint.
Fix 4. Let There Be Light
A dark house feels small, sad, and old. A bright house feels big, happy, and new. Look at your light fixtures. Are they from 1990? Are the glass covers full of bugs? Old, dated lights can make your whole house feel old.
This is why you should replace the old light fixtures. This does not mean you need to buy expensive, fancy lights. Go to the store. You can find clean, simple, modern fixtures for a low price. A new light in the dining room, entry, and kitchen can make a substantial change.
Also, check your light bulbs. Make sure every light has a working bulb. Use bright, warm-light LEDs. This makes your home feel bright and welcoming during showings. This is a quite simple fix that makes a significant difference. This fix is a must-do on the list of 7 home fixes you must complete before selling.
Fix 5. Fix Your Floors
Buyers always look at the floors. Floors take up a lot of visual space. Old, worn, or dirty floors are a major turn-off. Your floors need to look clean and solid.
Walk through your home. Do you need to fix cracked tiles in the bathroom? A cracked tile is a red flag for buyers. They worry about water damage underneath. Do you have damaged flooring, like a big scratch on a wooden floor? See if you can fix it.
What about carpets? At a minimum, you must get professional carpet cleaning. Stained, smelly carpets are one of the fastest ways to lose a sale. If the carpets are old and worn, you should think about replacing them. A new, basic carpet is not expensive. It can make a room feel brand new.
Fix 6. Declutter and Deep Clean
This fix costs you nothing but time. It is also the most important of all the 7 home fixes you must complete before selling. You cannot sell a messy, cluttered house for top dollars. It will not happen. This is a two-step process.
First, you must declutter. This means you need to remove personal items. Pack up your family photos. Clear off the kitchen counters. Put away half the clothes in your closet. This helps you depersonalize space. You are not selling your home. You are selling a house. Buyers need to see the house, not your stuff. This is a big part of staging your home.
Second, you must clean the deep. This is not a quick wipe-down. This is a top-to-bottom scrub. Clean the inside of the oven. Wash the windows. Scrub the baseboards. Make the bathrooms sparkle. A clean home tells buyers that the house has been loved.
Fix 7. The Kitchen and Bath Refresh
Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. But this does not mean you need a big remodel. You should not do a big remodel. You will not get your money back. Instead, do a mini refresh.
In the kitchen, new hardware on the cabinets can make them look modern. Make sure all appliances are spotless. Clean the grout between the tiles. Fix any leaky faucets.
In the bathroom, put in a new, clean shower curtain. Re-caulk the tub and sink. Make sure the mirror is clean and the lighting is bright. These small touches make these important rooms feel updated. This is one of the smartest of the 7 home fixes you must complete before selling.
What Not to Fix When Selling a House?
Knowing what to fix is important. Knowing what not to fix when selling a house is just as important. Do not spend money on things that you will not get back.
Do not do major remodels. A full kitchen or bathroom overhaul is a bad idea. It costs a lot. It takes a long time. And you will not get a 100% return on your investment. Do not replace things that are working but just old. This includes a furnace, air conditioner, or roof. If they work, leave them. The buyer’s inspection will check them out. If they want a new one, they can negotiate for it.
Big-money fixes are usually a waste. Stick to the visual, cosmetic, and low-cost home improvements. This is the difference between a “fixed-up” sale and a money pit.
What About a House That Needs Major Repairs?
What if your house needs more than these 7 fixes? What if you are facing a big problem, like a bad roof or foundation issues? This is a different situation. You are in the how to sell a house that needs major repairs category.
You have two main choices. You can spend the money and fix the big problems. This is risky. You may not get your money back. Or you can sell the house “as-is”. This means you sell the house in its current condition. You make no repairs.
Selling a home “as-is” in areas like Pensacola, FL, is a common, fast option. You will get a lower price. But you will sell it fast. You will not have the stress of repairs. If your home needs too much work, you can always Sell your house as is. Companies like Quality Properties of Northwest Florida LLC can make a fair cash offer without any repairs. This gives you a fast, easy way out.
Smart Seller’s Guide Checklist
You are now ready to sell. You have a plan. You know that getting a higher asking price is not about luck. It is about smart work. It is about focusing on the things buyers see and care about.
Your checklist is the 7 home fixes you must complete before selling.
- Boost curb appeals.
- Repaint the front door and interior walls.
- Patch all wall damage.
- Update old light fixtures.
- Fix or clean floors.
- Declutter and deep clean everything.
- Do a small refresh in the kitchen and bath.
Final Words
These seven fixes are proven to help you sell your home faster. They are all cost-effective repairs that provide a high return on investment. They give buyers peace of mind and help them see your house as their new home.
Getting your home ready for sale takes some effort. But focusing on these smart fixes, you set yourself up for a great sale. You will get more buyer interest and a better final price.
Remember, every home is different. If the work seems too much, you have other options. For a no-hassle, “as-is” sale, visit Quality Properties of Northwest Florida LLC to see your options. Good luck with your sale.
FAQs
Should I fix my house or just sell it “as-is”?
This is a big question. It depends on your time, money, and goals. If your home only needs the small, cosmetic fixes on this list, you should do them. The ROI is very high. If your home needs major, expensive repairs (like a new roof or foundation work), you may be better off selling “as-is”. This is a good time talking to a cash buyer.
What repairs are mandatory after a buyer’s inspection?
This is a common myth. No repairs are ever “mandatory”. A buyer’s inspection creates a list of issues. The buyer can then ask you to fix them. Or they can ask for a price reduction (a “repair concession”). Or they can walk away from the sale. By doing the 7 home fixes you must complete before selling before you list; you handle most of the small things that show up on an inspection report.
How much money should I spend on repairs before selling them?
You should spend as little as possible to make the biggest visual impact. Focus on the low-cost home improvements on this list. A good rule is to focus on fixes that cost a few hundred dollars, not a few thousand. Paint, hardware, light fixtures, and landscaping are your best bets. Do not start a major remodel.
