The work you do before listing affects how fast your home sells and how much buyers offer. Here’s where to focus, in order of impact.
1. Fix what a buyer’s inspector will find
Leaks, faulty outlets, cracked tiles, broken windows, and worn caulking all show up in inspection reports and become negotiating points. Fixing them first keeps buyers from asking for bigger credits later. For older homes, a pre-listing inspection can surface problems before a buyer does.
2. Clear up paperwork problems
- Look up open building violations and certify any that have been corrected.
- Close out open permits for past renovations.
- Make sure the certificate of occupancy matches how the property is actually used.
These issues can delay a closing or scare off a lender. See Searching for Building Violations.
3. Refresh, don’t renovate
Big renovations rarely pay for themselves before a sale. The best returns usually come from inexpensive updates:
- Fresh neutral paint
- New light fixtures and cabinet hardware
- Refinished or deep-cleaned floors
- Regrouting and recaulking bathrooms
4. Curb appeal
For houses, first impressions start at the sidewalk: trim plants, clean the walkway, paint or replace the front door, and update house numbers and the mailbox. For apartments, the building hallway and your front door matter too.
5. Stage and photograph
Once the work is done, declutter and stage for listing photos. Read our Staging Tips and Tricks.
Not sure what’s worth fixing? We’ll walk through your home and tell you what matters for your market. Contact us.