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Kitchen with wood cabinets and material samples on the counter, illustrating whether to fix your home before selling.
Should You Fix Your Home Before Selling? Start With the Likely Buyer
Imagine two homes with the same older kitchen. One is otherwise well maintained and will appeal to someone ready to move in. The other needs substantial work and may appeal to a buyer planning a full renovation. Spending $30,000 on a new kitchen could make sense for neither seller. The question is whether the work will change what buyers are willing to pay enough to justify its cost.
Before you hire a contractor, I suggest three steps:
1. Address what makes buyers hesitate.
A leak, a broken fixture, or a concern about the roof deserves attention. Get an estimate so you can compare the cost of fixing it with the option of pricing the home in its current condition.
2. Make the home easy to see.
Clear crowded rooms, clean thoroughly, improve the lighting, and consider paint where walls look worn. In its 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, the National Association of REALTORS® lists painting among the projects agents most often recommend to sellers. That is a general finding, not a reason to repaint every room in every home. nar.realtor
3. Compare selling options before committing to major work.
A move-in-ready buyer, a renovator, and a builder may value the same property differently. Recent comparable sales can help show whether an improvement is likely to strengthen your asking price or simply add to your expenses.
Selling as-is can be a reasonable choice. It means offering the property in its present condition; it does not mean ignoring known issues or skipping applicable disclosures. If a significant defect or contract question arises, involve the appropriate inspector or attorney.
I can review your home’s condition, comparable sales, and likely buyers with you, then help you decide which work may support the sale and which work you can leave to the next owner.
Thinking about selling? Don’t spend money on repairs until you know which ones could matter to buyers. Text me your property address and a few photos at 224-517-5507. I’ll review comparable sales and help you decide what to fix, what to leave, and how to position your home for sale. No obligation.
Natalie Novikova
Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker
CENTURY 21 Circle
224-517-5507
