Should You Make Repairs Before Listing Your Home?

By Ron Palmer

Ron Palmer has called the Northwest Valley home for over 20 years, cherishing the area—even its intense summers!

Are you preparing to sell your home but unsure whether to invest in repairs beforehand? One of the most common questions sellers ask is, “Should I make repairs before listing my home?” The short answer is yes.

There aren’t as many buyers as before. However, the good news is that the current buyers are ready to purchase. With higher interest rates, new-build competition, and elevated home prices, your home must be in excellent condition to stand out.

Did you know there’s such a thing as buyers’ and sellers’ math? Most repairs you make as a seller might only cost a couple hundred dollars, but buyers often assume these repairs cost thousands. This perception can significantly impact their willingness to make an offer.

Repairs generally fall into two categories: cosmetic and high maintenance. Here’s the major difference:

• Cosmetic repairs are usually optional and won’t be a sticking point in negotiations. However, they can net you a higher return on your investment. Think paint, carpet, and sprucing up the landscaping.

• High-maintenance repairs take longer and require a larger investment, but they fix major issues that must be addressed if you want a good offer on your property. These could include air conditioning units, roofs, or water heaters. You might like these items inspected or serviced before listing your home. In some cases, it might even make sense to replace them.

Proper repairs can expand your buying pool. We always recommend sellers make repairs before listing their home. It’s essential now more than ever because there’s so much competition and fewer buyers.

Before you make any repairs, contact us at (602) 750-0755 or ron@soldwithresults.com. We’d love to meet with you to review which repairs are worth it and will net you the most return on investment.