Getting ready to sell your home can quickly turn into a very long to-do list. It can be hard to know what to fix, what to update and what to leave alone, especially when you already have so many other things to think about when preparing for a move. Lisa said it’s something clients always ask about when preparing their home for sale. She recommends doing a thorough clean from top to bottom. Even if your home is dated, this shows pride of ownership and care.

  • Should you repaint?
  • Replace the flooring?
  • Update the kitchen?

What about those older windows or dated light fixtures?

Before spending thousands of dollars, it is important to understand which updates may help your home show better and which ones may not give you the return you expect.

Every home, neighbourhood and market is different. Having a clear plan before you start can save you time, money and stress.

One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make is completing a long list of improvements before speaking with their Realtor®. What seems like a necessary and expensive update may not be important to buyers in your neighbourhood.

On the other hand, a few smaller changes could make a noticeable difference in how your home presents.

Before we continue, have you downloaded our free Selling Tips E-Book yet? It is full of advice to streamline your transaction in any market.

What Should You Fix Before Selling?

When preparing your home for sale, start with the thing’s buyers are likely to notice or that could make them question how well the home has been maintained.

Small Repairs Buyers Will Notice

Lisa suggests going through your home and making sure any repair that is small or obvious is fixed, such as broken doorknobs, broken or mismatched light bulbs, etc. You may have learned to live with the loose door handle, dripping faucet or closet door that does not quite close properly, but buyers are seeing your home for the first time.

Loose handles, cracked switch plates, damaged trim, burnt-out or mismatched light bulbs and other small issues can add up. Individually, they may not seem important, but together they can make a home feel less cared for.

Take a walk through your home and look at it as though you were seeing it for the first time. Small, affordable repairs can often make a bigger difference than you think.

Do you want even more secrets to preparing your house for sale and maximizing your results? Start by reading the posts below:

Tired or Very Personal Paint Colours

If you want to do some small updates, painting and/or paint touch ups are one of your first go-to options. Fresh paint is a simple way to give a home a clean, fresh feel without taking on a major renovation.

Focus on walls that are damaged, scuffed or painted in very strong or personal colours. Neutral tones make it easier for buyers to picture their own furniture and style in the space.

You do not necessarily need to repaint every room. Focus on the areas where a refresh will have the most impact.

Issues That Could Raise Bigger Questions

Some problems may make buyers wonder if there is something more serious happening with the home.

Visible water damage, active leaks, broken windows or other noticeable concerns are worth discussing before listing. A buyer may see one issue and begin wondering what else they haven’t noticed.

This does not mean every older part of your home needs to be replaced. The goal is to understand which concerns could affect a buyer’s confidence and determine the best way to address them.

If you are dealing with larger issues, we suggest reaching out to The Hartsink Team and getting some expert advice from one of our team members on the best strategy to handle those situations.

Lighting

Good lighting can make a noticeable difference in both listing photos and in-person showings.

Replace burnt-out bulbs and make sure the home’s light fixtures are working properly. Clean fixtures and use consistent lighting where possible.

A bright home can feel cleaner, larger and more inviting, and this is one of the easiest areas to address before your home goes on the market.

Basic Curb Appeal

First impressions start before buyers walk through the front door.

You do not need to invest in a complete landscaping makeover. Simple tasks such as cutting the grass, trimming overgrown shrubs, cleaning garden beds, washing the front entrance and pressure washing dirty exterior areas can give your property a quick facelift. Even a fresh coat of paint on your front door can liven up your front entrance.

Focus on making the exterior clean, tidy and well maintained rather than completely redesigning it.

Enhancing the exterior of your house is one of the best-kept secrets to attracting potential buyers! That’s why we wrote an entire e-book about creating curb appeal, another great free resource to help you get outstanding results.

What May NOT Be Worth Fixing?

Preparing your home for sale does not mean making everything new. In some cases, spending more does not mean getting more back when you sell.

A Full Kitchen Renovation

An older kitchen does not automatically mean you need to renovate it before selling.

Kitchens are also very personal. The cabinetry, countertops and finishes you choose may not be what the next owner would choose for themselves.

Instead of taking on a major renovation, cleaning thoroughly and making a few simple cosmetic improvements may be enough to help the kitchen present itself well.

A Full Bathroom Renovation

The same approach can apply to bathrooms.

If the bathroom is functional but dated, consider smaller improvements before committing to a full renovation. Fresh caulking, a deep clean, paint or a few simple cosmetic changes can make the room feel fresher without the cost and disruption of a major project.

Replacing Everything That Looks Dated

There is an important difference between dated and defective.

Flooring, cabinetry, countertops, windows, appliances, hardware and light fixtures may not reflect today’s newest trends, but that does not necessarily mean they need to be replaced.

If something is clean, functional and in reasonable condition, replacing it simply because it is older may not make financial sense. Buyers may already have plans to update those features based on their own style.

Highly Personal Upgrades

When you are preparing to sell, this usually is not the time to finally complete the dream renovation you have always wanted.

Luxury finishes and very specific design choices can become expensive quickly, and there is no guarantee buyers will love them as much as you do.

Keep the future buyer in mind and focus your budget on improvements with broad appeal.

Major Projects Without a Clear Return

Finishing an unfinished basement, replacing flooring throughout the entire house or completing a major backyard project can involve significant time and money.

Before taking on a large project, consider whether it is needed to sell the property successfully.

Sometimes leaving an area as it is and allowing the next owner to make it their own is the better choice.

Whatever your next steps may be after selling your home, the posts below can help:

Fix It, Refresh It or Leave It Alone?

A simple way to approach your pre-listing to-do list is to put each item into one of three categories:

  • Fix it: It is broken, damaged, unsafe or likely to raise concerns with buyers.
  • Refresh it: It works, but a simple and affordable cosmetic update could improve how the home presents.
  • Leave it: It is functional, and the cost of changing it is unlikely to improve your selling position enough to make the investment worthwhile.

This can help turn an overwhelming list of projects into a much more manageable plan.

Talk to Your Realtor® Before You Renovate

Before heading to the hardware store or calling a contractor, talk to your Realtor®.

Your home’s condition is only one part of the equation. Your neighbourhood, price range, competition and current market conditions can all affect which improvements are worth making.

At The Hartsink Team, we can walk through your home with you, look at it through a buyer’s eyes and help identify where your time and money may have the most impact.

Sometimes the best preparation involves a few strategic updates. Other times, cleaning, decluttering, staging and presenting the home well may be the smarter approach.

Guiding you home with confidence.

Thinking about selling? Before you start renovating, connect with our Georgetown real estate agents at The Hartsink Team. We can help you decide what to fix, what to refresh and what you can leave exactly as it is. Give us a call directly at 905-873-9944, email us at info@lisahartsink.com or fill out the form on this page to get in touch!