There are lots of articles out there that discuss what you should fix to sell your house. With so many things to consider, maybe we should look at the often overlooked question – what should you NOT fix? Here are 10 things that you probably don’t need to fix when selling your house:

1. Don’t Replace the air conditioning/heating system just because it’s old. This is an important and expensive component of your home. Insurance companies doesn’t care if it’s old, as long as it cools and heats, and the return on your investment may not pay you back. Have it serviced and make sure it’s in working order, but don’t replace it just because it’s old.
2. Don’t remodel your dated kitchen or bathrooms. There are all sorts of studies on this and they continually point out that although remodeled homes are more desirable and can sell more quickly, the return on your investment is usually just not there. Perhaps consider having the tub resurfaced to an updated color or having the tile repainted or event simply replace the fixtures. These things may still cost a few hundred bucks but they’re usually going to offer a better return on your investment in most circumstances.
3. Don’t replace the flooring if there are cracks in the tile or if the carpet isn’t completely trashed. These are cosmetic in nature and many buyers really do understand that these items can be replaced anytime. Perhaps have the floors professionally cleaned. This can often provide miraculous results. Some judgment here is necessary, but in general the thousands you spend to replace the floors won’t find their way to the closing table.
4. Touch up painting or a fresh coat can do wonders for the appearance of your home. It can be done inexpensively, especially if you do it yourself. However, don’t use wacky colors! Don’t use orange, yellows and greens. Stick with neutral, off white colors like eggshell and very light brown or gray. The wrong colors can really turn off a buyer.
5. Don’t attempt to cover things up (ie cracks in foundation, etc). Disclose any structural damage and avoid being sued. Minor cracks in concrete blocks are fairly common in Florida, as most locals know. Those can be covered up with some paint. Be sure they’re not a major issue first.
6. Don’t add cover scents that smell like a men’s locker room to cover pet, or other odors. Clean the source of the smell instead. Have the carpets cleaned or move the kitty box to the garage. Make sure the air conditioning filter has been recently replaced. If your house doesn’t have any odors, they don’t add scents that may not appeal to buyers. The best smell is no smell.
7. Don’t fix driveway and sidewalk cracks as long as they don’t pose a safety issue. Concrete cracks are pretty common in Central Florida because of the sand underneath. The expense to make these repairs can be enormous and it will likely not be a good return on the investment. More importantly, have the driveway and walks pressure cleaned. This will remove any mildew build up and make the walkways safer and more attractive.
8. Don’t replace window coverings, instead, remove them. Clean the windows and let the natural light shine in.
9. Don’t do major landscaping. Mow the lawn and do a minor spruce up. Adding a few flowers and some fresh mulch will give you a better return on your money spent and do wonders for the overall appearance of your home. Skip the row of hedges and keep the money in your pocket.
10. Don’t replace an old front door. More than likely, if matches the era of your house. It is the first impression of your home so clean it and/or paint it instead. New front doors are expensive and may not be a good return on your investment when considering what to fix when selling your home.

It’s important to note that these 10 tips are intended as a guide before putting your home on the market. If a buyers comes along and makes an offer on your home and requires that you fix any of these items then this all goes out the window. At that point you should consider your motivation for selling and your finances, then decide if making the repairs is a wise move that facilitates a sale. Speak with your Realtor® and get their opinion as they really should be the expert in this area. They should also have a good idea of your entire situation. Of course this list is not all-inclusive and it’s important to remember that these recommendations are from a general perspective. If any one of the above items are the ONLY thing or one of just a few defects at the home, then you may want to go ahead and fix them. A professional Realtor® can advise you on what to consider before you put your house on the market. If you have any questions or would like to talk to Chuck about your particular situation, please feel free to contact us.

Published on August 24. 2022 / Tags: selling, Selling homes / no comments.