What Not To Fix When Selling A House: 7 Renovations To Avoid

From Julia Roberts’ satisfying Rodeo Drive shopping spree in “Pretty Woman” to the constant stream of HGTV house flips, it’s clear that pop culture is no stranger to the joy of makeovers.

Makeovers typically symbolize positive, very much desired transformations. Viewers love a good before and after, whether it’s a fashion makeover, a lifestyle makeover or of course, a home renovation.

And as much as you may want to renovate your home like it’s on an episode of “Love It or List It,” there are times when you may want to forgo giving your home the coveted total makeover.

It may seem counterintuitive to hold back on upgrades when trying to sell your home, but some fixes may be more trouble than they’re worth or produce a poor return on investment.

Let’s explore what not to fix when selling a house.

Why You Shouldn’t Fix Everything Before Selling Your House

While it may seem like an obvious truth that a product’s value is directly linked to how new and shiny it is, this doesn’t always apply to houses. In some cases, investing in your home can add to its value, but other fixes may be better left alone.

Here are some reasons you may want to hold off on fixing some things in your house before selling:

• The renovations may not provide enough or any return on the investment.
• You may save time and money by negotiating some repairs.
• The home improvement(s) may take longer than you plan to stay in the home.

Some sellers even put their houses up for sale without making any repairs to the property and sell their homes as-is. Buyers recognize an as-is house may have flaws, but the home seller isn't obligated to fix them. You may have heard the term “fixer-upper.” Home buyers may use the term when referring to an as-is property.

7 Things You Should Not Fix When Selling A House

When prepping your home to sell, it’s only natural to take stock of what your home has to offer and what can be improved. But it’s not always easy deciding on the savviest way to invest your money in order to increase your home’s value.

Here are a few times when pocketing your cash may be better for your wallet than funding a quick fix before selling:

1. Normal Wear And Tear

It may be extremely tempting, but it’s generally a good idea to avoid spending too much time or money fixing cosmetic flaws before selling your home.

You may see tiny defects – like scuffed baseboards, chipped paint, settlement cracks or scratched floors – as glaring imperfections, but these are minor, superficial issues. And many of these issues can be fixed by a buyer without much hassle.

The chances of you recouping the costs for these minor repairs are pretty low anyway. Rather than taking the time, energy and money to do it yourself, you’ll probably be better off adjusting your asking price accordingly and allowing the new homeowner to make any repairs.

As long as these minor flaws don’t point to bigger issues – like water damage that is indicative of leaky pipes or cracks and may be a symptom of a foundation problem – leave them alone and focus your attention on larger repairs that can raise the value of your home.

2. Exterior Property Cracks

As a home seller, chances are you’ve heard all about the importance of curb appeal and making sure your home makes a good first impression. While it can be easy to sweat the hairline cracks on your footpaths or imperfect walkway or driveway, it’s fairly common for small cracks to appear in these areas – especially if you live somewhere with a diverse climate.

At the end of the day, whether a buyer makes an offer on your home won’t likely hinge on small cracks in your front yard. If you want to up your curb appeal, try focusing your efforts on taming unruly hedges, pulling out weeds or planting colorful flowers to make a lasting impression.

3. Certain Electrical Issues

Electrical issues in a home can require serious attention, especially in an older home. Issues such as frayed wiring, a faulty circuit breaker or poorly wired rooms can lead to headaches or safety hazards in the form of an electrical fire or electric shocks. To ensure your home’s electrical system doesn’t pose a threat, you should order a home inspection or consult an electrician or other professional to give the green light on your home’s wiring.

But not every electrical issue is a major threat or deal breaker for potential buyers. Uncovered or wonky outlets and light switches that may not be hooked up to anything are minor electrical issues a seller doesn’t have to fix. Double-check your lightbulbs to ensure it’s an easy fix, but one faulty light switch or a few slightly askew outlets aren’t the end of the world.

4. Outdated Parts Of A Room

With home makeovers saturating our screens, it can be easy to get lost daydreaming about totally redoing rooms from top to bottom. But the best use of your money could be to update your rooms – partially.

When you only update a part of a room, that’s considered a partial room update. And even a partial update can yield refreshing and lively results. You may install a new sink or vanity in a bathroom but keep the old toilet and tub. You may have new cabinets installed in your kitchen, but you keep the same flooring. The best way to approach a partial room update is by focusing on cohesiveness and modernity.

What are some simple updates you can make to revitalize your home? Here are just a few tweaks to consider for a partial update:

• Swapping out hardware, faucets or showerheads
• Upgrading your kitchen or bathroom countertops
• A new mirror or vanity for bathrooms
• Upgraded doors or windows
• New tile, grout or carpeting

5. Temporary Items

There’s a reason home staging is such a lucrative business. It helps prospective buyers envision their new lives inside your home. To best meet this need, it’s common to stage your home in a conventional way that allows buyers to view the space without your personal touches influencing or intruding on their imagination.

With this in mind, it may be wiser to remove temporary fixtures rather than fix them before showing your home to buyers. The fixtures can include outdated or wobbly window valances, blinds or curtain rods. Not only is it simpler to remove an item than fix it, but the absence of certain fixtures may help create a more neutral environment and help potential buyers better envision the home as their own.

6. Old Appliances

Household appliances can significantly influence the look of a room – they do take up a lot of space in our kitchens and laundry rooms, after all. But that doesn’t mean outdated appliances must be replaced with newer, shinier models when it’s time to sell. In fact, many home buyers may want to purchase your appliances or use their appliances.

Unless your appliances are an undeniable eyesore, you’ll likely be okay keeping them out in plain sight. And even if you think you need a replacement, you don’t need to splurge. Browse online marketplaces that sell used appliances to replace your own without overspending on an item that may be replaced in the near future.

7. Paint Some Rooms

Paint is a design element that can vastly change how potential buyers see your home. To refresh your house in the cheapest and easiest way, consider speaking with your REALTOR^® to figure out when to update the paint in a room.

And you can also use paint to hide small imperfections. Here are a few instances when it may be a good idea to use paint for repairs:

• Removing dated wallpaper
• Patching up small holes or dents
• Painting over age or water damage

What You Should Fix When Selling Your House

There is a fine line between waiving all repairs and overwhelming yourself with updates and upgrades. To get the most bang for your buck, invest your time and money in fine-tuning these major home selling points:

• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Critical electrical issues
• Gas lines
• Foundation
• Roofing
• Safety features (smoke detectors, carbon monoxide and radon detection)

How To Decide What You Should Not Fix When Selling Your House

Here are some things to consider in order to help you decide whether your home requires some minor or major renovations:

Consult With A Local Real Estate Agent

A professional real estate agent can provide guidance and their opinion on where to start with home improvements. A good agent constantly monitors the market and should know which upgrades should work best for your situation.

Determine If The Improvements Hold Value

When completing any home renovation, you must consider your return on investment (ROI) to ensure the improvement makes financial sense. Research which upgrades typically bring the most value and can raise your home’s fair market value and selling price. And have your real estate agent use comparable home sales to help you decide.

Consider Whether The Buyer Would Make These Changes

Sometimes, your home improvements may not match a potential home buyer’s preferences. Consider what a buyer may want to personalize, like the choice of paint for the kitchen cabinets. You can use the money you would have spent on cosmetic updates on more strategic upgrades that can help the sale.

FAQs On What Not To Fix When Selling A House

Now that you have a good understanding of which improvements to carry out and which improvements to cancel, let’s get answers to additional questions about fixing up a house before selling.

Should you sell your house as-is or fix it?

In general, it’s best to fix your home rather than sell it as-is. You can save money upfront by skipping repairs, but you may shrink your pool of interested buyers because many buyers may not be interested in as-is homes. Your home may sell for less, take forever to sell or your house may not sell.

If you can’t fit every repair into your budget, consider popular updates future homeowners may desire in common areas, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Speak with your real estate agent to figure out where you should start.

What is the most common reason a home fails to sell?

Overpricing is one of the most common reasons a home fails to sell. Setting an unrealistic price on your home can repel potential buyers, especially if the home requires necessary repairs.

It’s important to work with an experienced real estate professional who can accurately determine a suitable price for your property.

How can you increase the value of your house before selling it?

Not all buyers want the same thing in a home, but certain renovations can increase home value and equity over time. Home improvements – including kitchen and bathroom remodels – landscaping and curb appeal and energy-efficient upgrades add the most value to a home and are in demand by many buyers.

The Bottom Line: Weigh Your Options Before Spending Money On Home Fixes And Repairs

When selling your home, the newest features and gadgets don’t always make the best investments. To optimize a property’s value, focus on having a functional home with a good foundation. Apply your efforts and money to the home's big mechanical systems, not its small cosmetic flaws. And bear in mind that home buyers won’t view your home the same way you do – so provide a neutral canvas that leaves a potential buyer free to imagine your home as theirs.

Before you decide what to fix and what to skip, connect with an agent today to get professional guidance that can set up your home sale for success.