Repairs Worth Making Before You Sell (and a Few to Skip)

Once you decide to sell, you should start to see your house through a buyer's eyes. You need to notice the scuffed baseboards, the dated light fixture and the faucet that's been dripping since the last presidential election.

The question becomes: what's worth fixing, and what should you leave for the next owner? Here's my take, as an agent who hears what buyers notice at every home showing.

Always worth it: the small stuff

These repairs are cheap, fast and make a surprisingly big difference:

• Fresh paint in neutral colors, especially in rooms with bold or dated walls
• Touch-ups on scuffed trim, doors and baseboards
• Leaky faucets and running toilets
• Loose door handles, cabinet hinges and wobbly railings
• Caulk around tubs, showers and sinks
• HVAC filter changes and a quick service check
• Pressure washing siding and walkways
• Landscape touch up: mowing, edging, and pops of color
• Deal with smells — pets or old carpets

Think of these as the haircut and clean shirt before a job interview. Nobody hires you for the haircut, but it sure helps.

Usually worth it: things inspectors flag

Buyers in Aiken almost always get a home inspection and a CL-100 termite report. Fixing known issues ahead of time can keep your deal from getting bumpy. Consider tackling:

• Roof leaks or missing shingles. If your roof is 15 years or older, a replacement might be necessary because of stricter insurance policies
• Plumbing leaks, including under sinks and in the crawl space
• Electrical safety issues like missing outlet covers or open junction boxes
• Moisture problems in the crawl space, which are common with our humidity
• Rotten wood on decks, fascia boards and window sills
• Active termite issues, which you'll want treated by a licensed pest company, and ideally keep your home under a termite bond

If something big is wrong and you'd rather not fix it, that's okay too. Getting a quote and sharing it with buyers up front can make negotiations smoother.

Sometimes worth it: bigger updates

These can pay off, but it depends on your home, your neighborhood and your price range:

• Flooring: replacing worn carpet with new carpet or LVP can make a house feel fresh
• Kitchen refresh: painting cabinets, new hardware and a new faucet can update a kitchen without a full remodel
• Lighting: swapping out builder-basic or very dated fixtures
• Bathroom refresh: new toilet, painted vanity, and new fixtures can make it look brand new

The key word here is refresh. Aim for clean and current, and save the custom touches for your next house.

Usually not worth it: major renovations

These often cost more than they add to your sale price:

• Full kitchen or bathroom remodels right before selling
• Adding a room or an addition
• Installing a pool (they're polarizing, and expensive)
• High-end, taste-specific upgrades like a wine room or a luxury custom closet

You'll be living through construction dust, timelines and change orders just to hand someone else the result. Many buyers would rather pay a bit less and pick their own finishes.

Talk to your agent before you spend

Here's my biggest piece of advice: don't spend a dime until you've walked through the house with your agent. I've seen sellers spend thousands on projects buyers didn't care about while skipping a $150 fix that buyers definitely noticed.

Your agent knows what buyers in your price range and neighborhood are expecting. In a newer subdivision on the north side, buyers may expect move-in ready. For a historic cottage near downtown, buyers often expect some character and a few quirks.

What about selling as-is?

Selling as-is is a real option, especially for estate sales, rentals or homes that need more work than you want to take on. You'll usually get a lower price, but you skip the repair costs and the hassle. Just know that "as-is" in South Carolina doesn't mean you can skip disclosure. Sellers still need to complete the property condition disclosure statement, so be honest about known issues.

Not sure where to start?

I'm happy to walk through your house with you and make a simple list: fix this, skip that, and here's what it'll likely do for your price. Reach out anytime.