Most Important Things to Repair Before Selling a House

Sally Norton

Guest Blogger

​If you're selling a house or thinking about it, you've probably asked yourself that age-old question: should I renovate the home before putting it on the market? 

​While opinions on this might vary, the best possible option is to at least do some minor fixes and repairs. This is because even small changes and updates can mean a lot during the selling process. Damages and broken things inside the home can not only lower the cost of your home, but they can also prolong the selling process. While there are people who are actively looking for fixer-uppers, most buyers want a move-in-ready house. So, if you wish to sell your home fast and easy, follow our list of the most important things to repair before selling a house.

Refresh The Wall Paint

One of the easiest things to repair before selling is your wall paint. Updating your paint is not only cheap, but you can also do it entirely by yourself. Just pick a few neutral, lighter colors and paint the wall yourself. Neutral colors are very popular when staging a house because they don't personalize the space too much. That way, the buyers can imagine themselves living in that space and adding their own touches and decor.
You don't have to paint every room; only the ones that are visibly in need. Like, for example, the rooms with chipped or dirty paint and water stains. On the other hand, if your property has wallpaper, it is nearly always a smart idea to remove it.

New coat of paint can do a lot to make a good impression.

Lighting

Even the tiniest house may appear open and inviting with the right lighting. So, if you want your home to look good and sell fast, look at your house and see how you can improve the lighting. For example, you may have outdated light fixtures that are cheap to replace but can help the first impression immeasurably. Moreover, don't forget about natural lighting. Use it to your advantage as much as you can. Get rid of all the heavy drapes or replace them with lighter curtains. Finally, if you want to bring in as much light in your home as possible, don't forget to clean your windows.

Damaged Flooring

Most buyers, when looking for a house, pay a lot of attention to the floors. That's why your scratched wood flooring, outdated carpeting, and worn-out linoleum are the most important things to repair before selling a house. Damaged floors are what can make buyers cross the house from their list after taking one step inside. This is because most buyers don't want to have to deal with replacing the floors by themselves after they move in. However, if you do it before putting your house on the market, you can get a good return on investment. Most of the time, you can get away with simply changing the carpeting. On the other hand, if you currently have hardwood floors in your home, refinishing them would be a great idea that can really pay off.
If you don't have damaged floors, the story is not entirely over. Many people accidentally end up scratching their floors when moving furniture while packing and during the moving day. So, when you're getting your belongings ready for the move, after you've sold the house, make sure you don't cause any damage. To do so, you need to make sure you're not dragging your heavy furniture across the floor rather than lifting it.

If the floors in your home are in bad shape, you should consider replacing them.

Roof

Depending on how old your roof is and whether or not it has been damaged over the years, roof repair may or may not be necessary. However, it's still a good idea to get your roof assessed for problems, as roof damage can cause severe structural and safety issues. On the other hand, if your roof has any critical damage, be sure to repair it because it can really pay off when selling a home. You don't have to completely replace the roof, which is a very costly job, but you should patch it up and make it functional. Many buyers would walk away after seeing a roof in bad condition rather than fix it themselves.

Kitchen

While some people may claim that a kitchen remodel can increase your home's resale value, it can also be a lot of work for little payout. It's best you avoid doing a complete kitchen renovation unless your agent strictly tells you that's the best way you can make your money back on the sale. However, you can still make some more minor repairs to your kitchen to make a better first impression. For example, you can change the wall paint and the countertops without making a considerable investment.
Furthermore, before placing your house on the market, double-check that all of your kitchen appliances are in functioning order. The most important appliances are your refrigerator, cooktop, sink, and dishwasher. Repair any leaks and, if required, replenish the Freon or coolant in your refrigerator. If an appliance doesn't work, or cannot be fixed, remove it from the house. It's simple - if it doesn't work, why keep it?

If your kitchen is already in good shape, a few simple fixes will suffice.

Outside

​When discussing the most important things to repair before selling a house, people often forget about the outside of the house and the backyard. These parts, however, are very important because they're the first thing a buyer will see when they come to the open house. They're what's going to make the first impression, and we all know how important those are. So, in order to up your curb appeal, you first need to make sure the lawn in front of your house is green and recently mowed. This is easy to do with just a bit more attention and care. Moreover, you can add a pop of color and warmth by planting flowers in front of the house. It would be best if you also considered fixing or painting over your entrance doors. Door repairs aren't difficult to handle, and potential buyers will appreciate your efforts.