Do You Need to Fix Everything Before You Sell?

Do you need to fix everything before you sell?

I hear this question all the time, and here's what I tell sellers: some repairs add value, others cost money and don't give you a return on your investment at closing. I've seen sellers spend thousands on projects that buyers didn't care about, while ignoring smaller improvements that could have made a huge difference.

Hi, I'm Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here in the East Bay for the last 10 years.

Here's the real issue. A $55,000 kitchen remodel might get you $33,000 to $38,500 back, 60 to 70% of your investment. A $14,000 fresh interior paint job and new front door could get you an additional $10,500 to $14,000 back, closer to 100% of your original investment, according to the National Association of Realtors. The math is completely different, and most sellers don't know that before they start writing checks.

In the East Bay market right now, buyers care about move-in readiness. They care about floors and a fresh coat of paint. They care about big-ticket items too, whether the roof needs replacing, whether the electrical is so old insurance is requiring it to be replaced. Beyond that, as long as things work and will last a reasonable amount of time, they don't care. That's the reality.

So do you need to fix everything before you sell? Usually, no. But before you start any upgrades, get a plan. Know what repairs are actually going to move the needle in your market, and which ones are just going to drain your bank account. That's the difference between a smart sale and leaving money on the table.

I'm Tanja Odzak, and I've sold over $100 million worth of homes with a decade of experience in the East Bay. If you're considering selling and want to know which repairs are worth it and which ones aren't, let's talk strategy.