What Not To Fix When Selling A House
When putting your house on the market, it’s tempting to want to fix every little imperfection to make it look perfect for potential buyers. However, not all repairs provide a good return on investment. When deciding what to fix before selling your house, you need to focus your time and money on fixes that will matter most to buyers. So, this article outlines a few things that can go without repairing while selling a house!
Things Buyers Don’t Really Care About
Minor Cosmetic Issues
Chipped paint, worn carpet, old wallpaper. While you notice these flaws every day, they likely won’t deter buyers. Repainting rooms or replacing carpets can easily cost thousands of dollars, with little payoff. For minor cosmetic fixes like these, your money is better spent elsewhere.
Personalized Décor Choices
Your eclectic art collection or custom wall colors may not appeal to everyone. But repainting walls with neutral colors and removing your personal decor takes time and money. Most buyers expect to put their own stamp on a home anyway. Focus on decluttering and deep cleaning instead.
Outdated Light Fixtures
Your dated dining room chandelier may not align with today’s trends. However, lighting is inexpensive and easy for buyers to switch out. Replacing all the light fixtures probably won’t impact offer prices. Declutter lamps and overhead lights to highlight their functionality for now.
Landscaping Imperfections
While manicured lawns and gardens can boost curb appeal, overgrown trees and shrubs won’t deter most buyers. Extreme landscape overhauls like tearing out mature trees can actually reduce your home’s value. Minor trimming and pruning are likely sufficient. Evaluate cost vs. return before taking on major landscaping projects.
Things That Can Deter Buyers
Major Structural & Mechanical Issues
Major flaws like a shifting foundation, leaky roof, broken HVAC system, or faulty electrical absolutely must be addressed. Not only will these significantly decrease your home’s value, but failing to disclose known issues can open you up to legal liability down the road. Get professional inspections and estimates so you can price fixes into your listing.
Severely Dated Kitchens & Bathrooms
While buyers expect to personalize décor, they want move-in-ready kitchens and bathrooms. Severely outdated or damaged kitchens and baths can be deal-breakers, especially in higher price ranges. If your kitchen cabinets are from the 80s or your bathrooms have significant wear, these are worth renovating to appeal to buyers. Consult recent comparable sales to estimate costs.
Poor Curb Appeal
Your home’s exterior and landscaping make that critical first impression. Peeling paint, damaged siding, and overgrown landscaping all immediately turn buyers away. Not only will bad curb appeal lower your offers, but it can also deter potential buyers from even viewing your listing. Fix exterior flaws that detract from the overall home appearance and update landscaping for buyer appeal.
Signs Of Neglect, Damage, Or Pests
Buyers notice and get wary about signs of neglect like water damage, pest infestations, broken appliances, etc. Even if issues are minor, buyers may inflate scope and costs in their minds. Thoroughly address any visible damage, odors, or potential pest issues to avoid haggling or lost sales. Be prepared to show inspection reports or repair invoices.
Lingering Odors And Pet Damage
Pet odors, smoke smells or other lingering odors must be dealt with before listing your home. Odor removal requires a deep clean and often the replacement of soiled carpets or ventilation systems. Repair any pet damage like scratched floors or doors. Buyers are turned off by odors and excessive damage that signal potential issues.
How To Prioritize Limited Budgets
Everyone has a limited budget when preparing their home for sale. With so many potential fixes to choose from, focus first on repairs that address deal-breaking flaws buyers notice quickly. Then move to upgrades delivering the best return on investment through increased home value. Here are some specific tips for prioritizing home sale prep on a budget:
- Invest in a pre-listing home inspection to identify major issues needing repair. Address foundational, roofing, mechanical, and electrical issues first.
- Update outdated kitchens and bathrooms, at minimum giving cabinets, fixtures, and flooring a cosmetic refresh.
- Improve exterior curb appeal through paint, siding repairs, door replacement, and landscaping.
- Declutter every room and do a deep clean to remove odors and brighten dingy spaces.
- Make minor cosmetic fixes like paint touch-ups, light repairs, and appliance scrubbing for buyer reassurance.
- Remove personalized décor and furniture, and repaint dark accent walls with neutral tones.
- Save extensive remodelings like additions, kitchen gut jobs, and bonus material
If your budget is limited when preparing your Bonita Springs homes for sale, focus first on major repairs and updates that will maximize your home’s appeal to buyers. For minor flaws, buyers won’t care as much about, saving your money instead of over-improving.
To Wrap Up
Preparing your home for maximum appeal doesn’t have to mean expensive, time-consuming overhauls. Focus your time and money on the projects that will matter most to buyers when evaluating your home. Optimize your limited budget by addressing major flaws first while saving minor updates for the next owner’s preferences. With strategic prioritization, you can showcase your home’s best assets to get top dollar upon listing.
