Get Top Dollar for Your Home: Here’s What Not To Fix Before Selling

By Tim Lockhart

Tim is a 6th generation Texan, grew up in Arlington TX, and after having served 20 years as an Air Force Civil Engineering officer and managing over $1 Billion in facility construction and renovation projects, he retired in 2013. The experience, work ethic and leadership gained in the Air Force propelled him in only 4 years to build a real estate business ranking in the top 5% of agents worldwide in Keller Williams Realty the #1 Real Estate Company in the World. Tim is a Certified Military Relocation Specialist providing the highest level of service to his clients.

When preparing to sell your house, you need to make sure it’s appealing to potential buyers. Many homeowners rush to fix every little flaw, thinking it will boost their property’s value, but not every improvement will yield a significant return on investment. To help you avoid the ones that aren’t worthwhile, here are the top three things you should avoid fixing when getting your house ready to sell: 

1. Minor HVAC, electrical, and plumbing issues. While well-maintained and fully functional systems are crucial for any home, addressing minor issues in these areas may not be the best use of your resources. Major problems that could significantly impact the home’s livability and safety should be fixed, but minor issues are usually better left for the buyer to handle.

2. Old appliances and windows. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to believe that installing new appliances and windows will make their homes more appealing to buyers. However, this is not always the case. Homebuyers often have specific preferences, plus these pieces can be expensive. If your existing appliances and windows are still in decent condition, buyers may not see the value in replacing them with newer models, especially if they are already energy-efficient.

3. Partial room upgrades. Giving a room a partial upgrade can lead to an inconsistent look and feel throughout the house. Plus, it might make buyers question the overall quality of the home and create doubts about the other areas that weren’t improved. For example, replacing the kitchen countertops but not the cabinets can create an imbalanced appearance. Similarly, changing the faucet in a bathroom but not the worn-out tiles can make the space look disjointed. Those small changes will just be a waste of time and money. 

When selling a house, it’s crucial to prioritize your efforts and investments wisely. While preparing a home for sale is essential, fixing certain issues might not offer a significant return on investment or could be better handled by the buyer. If in doubt, feel free to reach out to me by phone call or email. I can offer valuable insights and would be honored to help you!