Gorgeous homes attract buyers and tend to sell faster. That’s no secret, but it can lead many home sellers astray. After all, there’s almost no end to what you can fix and fancy up on a house when you’re getting ready to sell it.
But what will really make a difference and what’s just a waste of your time and cash?
Let’s find out.
5 Things You Don’t Need to Fix When You’re Selling Your Home
When you’re getting ready to list your home, you want it to look as appealing as possible. While that means fixing and updating certain features, there’s a fine line between making a valuable improvement and just throwing your money away on something that homebuyers won’t really care about.
Here’s how to figure out the difference and make the right fixes before you put your home on the market.
1. Dated appliances
Brand-new, state-of-the-art appliances can look fantastic in any home — but if the older appliances still work, you may not get the best bang for your buck by replacing them.
Why? Because replacing major appliances can set you back thousands of dollars, and you may be overlooking the facts that:
- Some buyers may have their own plans to update your home anyways.
- Cleaning up and making minor fixes to dated appliances may be enough in some cases.
When to replace dated appliances: If your older appliances are not energy-efficient or if they’re 10+ years old, then replacing them may be the better option.
2. Minor wear and tear
Small cosmetic damage to the surfaces in your home doesn’t necessarily need to be fixed before listing your house. We’re talking about wear and tear like scraped floors, small cracks in tiling, and slight paint chipping.
If it’s not indicative of water damage or bigger issues with the house, it’s really not a problem because most buyers understand that lived-in properties can come with some minor, easily fixable damage — and some may not care because they have their own ideas for renovating the house.
When to fix minor wear and tear: If minor damage has the potential to cause more problems, then get it fixed ASAP. For example, it’s a good idea to fix small cracks that could result in water damage, especially if you’re listing your house during storm season.
3. Small exterior cracks
Driveways and walkways around the house may crack or show minor damage over time. Like with minor wear and tear in the house, small exterior damage — like hairline cracks in exterior pavement and concrete — can also be overlooked if it’s really just cosmetic in nature.
When to fix exterior cracks: Fix any cracking to the hard surfaces outside of your home IF they are a big eyesore that’s really detracting from your home’s curb appeal or IF that cracking is big enough to cause safety hazards, like tripping and falling.
4. Dated paint or wallpaper
Fresh paint, new wallpaper, and an entirely new color scheme can totally transform a space, giving it new life and a totally fresh feel. That said, it is NOT essential to repaint or re-wallpaper every wall in your home.
Why?
Because, again, buyers may be planning to repaint or re-wallpaper anyways. They have their own tastes, and they don’t necessarily expect your style to fit theirs. So, putting in all that extra effort to update your walls could end up being a total waste that doesn’t really move the needle for serious buyers.
When to replace dated paint or wallpaper: If paint or wallpaper is chipping pretty badly — or if it’s really detracting from the positive elements of your home or a given room — then update it. If you do, remember to keep it as neutral as you can.
5. Removable items
It’s smart to stage your home before you show it, but you don’t have to go out and buy all new furniture and decorations to do it. Also, homebuyers aren’t looking to purchase the removable items in your home. Those items are simply in place to inspire buyers and help them see the home in a certain light. So, don’t throw a lot of money into removable items.
When to invest in removable items: If certain pieces of furniture have seen much better days — and if they are truly eyesores (or they stink) — then buying a cheap piece of used furniture or renting furniture, like chairs or a couch, can be a good idea.
Fixing Up Your Home Before Selling It: The Bottom line
When it comes to making repairs and getting your home ready to put on the market, the bottom line is that:
- You do NOT have to fix everything.
- Strategically investing in the right fixes and updates can go a long way toward boosting the value of your home and getting the best return on your investment.
- Think about showcasing possibility and potential, not perfection, with your home. And consider how to put the best spin on features that you don’t update to help prospective buyers see the house’s true potential.
Selling a Home in Texas? Get Cash Back at Closing
If you’re selling a home in Texas, you can get experienced help and cash back at closing when you work with the 5-star Realtors® at New Home Gurus. We can guide you through the process, helping you with offers, negotiations, and closing. Plus, we’ll split our commission with you at closing!
Home sellers who work with New Home Gurus can get back an average of $4,500 to $12,000 at closing.
How Much Cash Can You Get after Closing?
Call (281) 668-8124 or Contact Us to Find Out Now
We are standing by, ready to answer your questions and explain the details of our commission-sharing program.