Preparing Your Home for Sale: Repairs That Matter Most

Want to sell your house fast and for the highest price?

Every homeowner fantasizes about putting their house up for sale and receiving piles of offers. But here's the kicker…

Buyers want move-in ready homes these days. And they won't hesitate to pass on a property that looks like it needs work.

The bright side?

Making the right repairs before selling your home can make buyers swipe right instead of left. But you gotta know what improvements will actually sway buyers.

Below you'll discover:

• Why repairing your home before selling is more important than ever

• Importance of roof repair before selling

• Exterior and interior home repairs that truly impress buyers

• Home repairs you should avoid before selling

Let's dive in.

Why Home Repairs Before Selling Your House Are Important

Here's the thing…

When buyers are looking at houses, they're naturally analyzing how well you maintained the property.

And if they find problems? They'll make you pay for it at closing or walk away entirely.

Clever Real Estate reports sellers spent an average of $19,773 on repair requests made by buyers during negotiations over the past few years. Imagine how much of that money you could have saved by taking care of things beforehand.

Seller, let me give you another scenario:

Make the repairs before you hit the market or hope buyers don't find things to negotiate down your price.

You always want to be in control of the narrative. If you leave obvious problems for buyers to find, they'll come back to haunt you at the negotiating table.

Roof Repair Before Selling Should Be Your Priority

Unless you want buyers to run for the hills, don't list your home with roof damage.

Roof issues = Water damage. Mold problems. Structural concerns.

Leave one of these items unchecked on your home inspector's report, and buyers will pay attention to nothing else beautiful about your home.

Roof repair goes beyond patching up leaks and hoping for the best. When you make your home shine before selling, you're showing buyers you took pride in your house.

Repairing your roof signals to buyers that they don't have to worry about expensive repair projects after closing. You can eliminate one of their biggest bargaining chips by securing roof repairs that last before listing.

Think roof repairs aren't that big of a deal?

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that 44% of all single-family homes in the United States are more than 30 years old. When you consider the average lifespan of most roofing materials, a huge percentage of homes for sale have old roofs.

Old roofs = Big selling hurdles.

Older roofing takes longer to sell. In fact, some housing experts believe homes with aging roofs stay on the market one to three weeks longer than houses with new or freshly repaired roofs.

That's thousands of dollars in holding costs you could avoid by repairing your roof before selling.

Need another reason to get that roof in tip-top shape?

Here's one.

High Impact Repairs That Attract Buyers

I'm sure you could come up with a lengthy list of home repairs to make before selling.

However, not all home improvements are created equal.

You should target repairs that will impress buyers and not break the bank. Refreshing your curb appeal goes a long way toward improving your property's chances of selling quickly.

Painting, repairing your roof, upgrading your garage door, and improving your front door are a few examples of changes that won't drain your bank account but can help your home sell.

Here's a list of repairs that provide you with the biggest bang for your buck:

• Roof repairs or replacement. First and foremost, get that roof in shape. It's one of the first things buyers will notice. Plus, it shows you took care of the home

• Garage door replacement. This small upgrade nets you some of the highest ROIs year after year

• Upgrade your entry door. Impress buyers right out the front door

• Touch up the exterior paint. If your paint is peeling or faded, a fresh coat goes a long way

• Repair or clean your gutters. First impressions matter, and gutters are often an easy place for water damage to happen

They may not be glamorous projects, but these are the things buyers notice when they visit your home.

Fun fact: these repairs won't empty your bank account either. Painting your home's exterior is nowhere near as expensive as renovating your kitchen. Yet a fresh coat of paint can make your entire home feel brand new to buyers.

Interior Repairs That Are Worthwhile

Alright, you've impressed buyers with your home's exterior. Now it's time to wow them inside.

Unless your house is completely brand new, there are bound to be a few issues that need touching up.

Here are a few repairs you shouldn't overlook:

Tap into your inner plumber and fix leaky faucets and running toilets. If you give buyers something that appears broken or damaged in your home, they'll worry about what else you're hiding. Trust me; I've been there.

Replace cracked or damaged flooring. When you show buyers dingy carpets or scratched up hardwood, they think you'll be replacing those as soon as they move in.

Paint the interior. Fresh paint makes a world of difference. Bright, neutral colors make your home feel bigger and cleaner. Meanwhile, darker colors can have the opposite effect.

Update lighting fixtures. Yes, buyers notice your lighting. Replace any ornate lighting fixtures for something more modern. It's an easy and affordable way to make your entire home feel new.

There's a trend forming here…

Fix things that are obviously damaged or broken. Paint your home's interior and exterior. Take the little things seriously, and buyers will walk through your house smelling the roses rather than wondering what else needs fixing.

Home Repairs You Should Skip

Now that you know what home improvements to make before selling let's discuss projects you should avoid.

While I encourage you to spend money on repairs before selling your home, I'm not advising you to renovate your entire house.

Here are a few repairs and improvements to avoid before selling:

• Swimming pool. Did you know most homeowners recover ZERO of their cost when they install a pool? Additionally, pools are expensive to maintain and many families simply don't want the extra hassle.

• Highly personalized renovations. We all like to add our own touch when we remodel a home. However, that popcorn ceiling stripper you installed might not appeal to the next family.

• Extravagant landscaping. While curb appeal is important, you shouldn't have to sell your car to finance your landscaping bill.

There's a reason most of these items are shared on every "home repairs to avoid" list. Save your money for the next home you buy and stick to repairs that matter.

Home Repairs Before Selling: Final Thoughts

As you prepare to sell your home, you shouldn't feel pressured to go broke on home improvements.

Simple repairs like painting, fixing your roof, and upgrading your entryways can mean the difference between selling your home in a month or never.

Here's my advice to wrap this up:

• Make sure your roof is repaired and attractive

• Tackle repairs that are obvious when walking through the home

• Don't renovate like you're trying to flip a house

• Present a home that looks move-in ready to welcome buyers

Follow these tips, and you'll avoid dropping thousands during negotiations. You'll also attract serious buyers who are willing to pay you what you deserve.

That's what selling a home is all about.