Selling Your Home

What repairs should I make before listing my home?

By Bob Millaway July 26, 2026

Short Answer

Focus on repairs that give the best return on investment: fixing obvious issues like leaky faucets, broken windows, and damaged flooring, and addressing any safety or code violations. A pre-listing inspection can help identify issues before the buyer's inspection. Major renovations are rarely worth the cost before selling. Focus on making your home clean, well-maintained, and move-in ready. Fresh paint, clean carpets, and good curb appeal go a long way.

Not all repairs are worth making before you sell. The key is to focus on repairs that affect the buyer's perception of the home and any issues that would come up during a home inspection. Start with the basics. Fix leaky faucets, replace broken light fixtures, repair cracked tiles, and patch holes in walls. Address any safety issues, like loose railings or exposed wiring. Improve curb appeal by mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, planting flowers, and painting the front door. A fresh coat of neutral paint throughout the home can make a huge difference. Clean or replace carpets. Declutter and depersonalize every room. Consider a pre-listing inspection. This allows you to identify and address major issues before the buyer's inspection, giving you more control over the process. You can fix the issues on your own timeline and choose your own contractors. Major renovations, like a kitchen or bathroom remodel, rarely return the full cost when you sell. Buyers may have different tastes, and you are unlikely to recoup the investment. Focus on making the home clean, neutral, and well-maintained.

Bob Millaway

Bob's Advice

Redfin Senior Agent · AI Certified Agent

I have guided hundreds of sellers through the preparation process. The most important thing is to make your home look well-cared for. Buyers are willing to pay more for a home that feels move-in ready. I will walk through your home with you and give you a specific list of what to fix and what to leave alone. You do not need to renovate everything. You just need to present your home in its best possible light.

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