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Your House Needs Work. Do You Really Have to Fix Everything Before Selling?
You’ve been thinking about selling your home, but there’s one thing holding you back:
The house needs work.
Maybe the kitchen is dated. The carpet has seen better days. There are holes in the drywall, an old water heater, peeling paint, worn cabinets, or a list of little repairs you’ve been putting off for years.
So naturally, you may think:
“I have to fix all of this before I can put my house on the market.”
Not necessarily.
In fact, one of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is spending thousands of dollars fixing things that may not need to be fixed at all.
Start With the Goal
Before spending money, we need to determine what you’re trying to accomplish.
Do you want to get the highest possible price?
Do you need to sell quickly?
Do you have the money and time to make improvements?
Would you rather sell the property in its current condition and move on?
Those answers matter because there isn’t one correct way to prepare every house for sale.
Some Repairs May Be Worth Doing
There are certain problems that can make a home harder to sell or potentially create problems during inspections, negotiations, appraisal, or financing.
Depending on the property, we may want to look more closely at things such as:
Active roof leaks or obvious water damage
Plumbing or electrical problems
Heating and cooling issues
Broken windows or doors
Safety concerns
Termite or wood-destroying insect issues
Deferred maintenance that could concern buyers
Conditions that could affect certain types of financing
That doesn't automatically mean everything needs to be repaired.
It means we should identify the problems and determine which ones could actually affect your sale.
What About the Ugly Stuff?
This is where sellers sometimes spend money unnecessarily.
Your kitchen might be 25 years old.
The bathroom tile might be outdated.
Your cabinets might not be the latest color.
Maybe the flooring isn't what today's buyers would choose.
That doesn't necessarily mean you should remodel.
There are buyers who would rather purchase a home at an appropriate price and make their own improvements.
If you're considering spending $20,000, $30,000 or more remodeling before selling, we should have a serious conversation about whether you're likely to get that money back.
Just because an improvement makes the house nicer doesn't mean it makes financial sense for the seller.
There Is a Buyer for a House That Needs Work
Not every buyer is looking for a completely remodeled home.
Some buyers specifically look for homes where they can build equity through improvements. Investors may be interested. Other buyers simply want an opportunity to purchase in a particular neighborhood at a lower price.
The key is being realistic about condition, price and the likely buyer for the property.
A house that needs significant work probably shouldn't be priced like the beautifully remodeled house down the street.
But that doesn't mean it can't be sold.
You May Also Be Able to Sell As-Is
Selling a home as-is can be an option for homeowners who don't have the money, time or desire to complete repairs before selling.
But sellers should understand something important:
“As-is” doesn't mean buyers won't care about the condition.
Buyers may still conduct inspections, evaluate the property's condition and decide whether the price makes sense for the work involved. Arizona sellers also have disclosure obligations that need to be taken seriously.
That's why the pricing and marketing strategy becomes especially important.
Before You Call the Contractor, Call Your Realtor
If you're considering selling, I would rather walk through your house before you start making repairs.
We can separate the potential problems into three categories:
Fix it. Leave it alone. Let's investigate it further.
Then we can look at what comparable homes are selling for in your area, what buyers are currently responding to, and whether spending money on a particular improvement is likely to help you.
You may discover that your house needs considerably less work than you thought.
Or we may identify several repairs that could make a meaningful difference in the sale.
Either way, you'll be making that decision based on a strategy instead of guessing.
Your House Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Sell
I've been in enough homes to know that homeowners sometimes see every scratch, outdated fixture and unfinished project.
Buyers don't necessarily see the house the same way.
So if the condition of your home has been keeping you from considering a move, don't automatically assume you need to spend a fortune before you can sell.
Let's look at the house first.
I'll tell you what I believe is worth addressing, what probably isn't, and how the home's current condition could affect its value and marketability.
Then you decide what makes sense.
Wes Stolsek, REALTOR®
OMNI Homes International
520-404-9773
Thinking about selling a home in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana or the surrounding area? Contact me and let's talk about the property before you start writing checks to contractors.
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