But again, don't put a diamond up against a
tumble weed. If other comparable homes in
the area have not been upgraded, etc. then
weigh your options more carefully here
from a ROI perspective.
To Fix or Not to Fix:
Deciding Which Repairs
Are Worth Tackling
The next five questions will help you
assess whether or not to make a specific
repair or change before selling your home.
4
Does the faulty item give the
impression the property has not been
well cared for? Leaky faucets, cracked tiles,
an overgrown lawn, broken appliances or
anything else that doesn't work as it should
can immediately turn off buyers. At an
open house, people often zip through quite
quickly, and if they notice one or two things
that send up red flags, they may not give
your home another chance.
5
Can you find a less expensive
fix? Let's say you scoped out the
comparable homes on the market in your
neighborhood, and they all have updated
kitchens but yours hasn't been touched
for some time. Rather than spend big on
a full kitchen remodel, why not give your
kitchen a less costly refresh? For instance,
you could paint the cabinets, swap out
cabinet hardware, change the light fixtures
and upgrade the appliances to something
current and functional but not top-of-the-
line. You will put some money into it but
not nearly as much as with a full remodel
—well worth it if it gets your home in the
running in a competitive market.
