17 Important Home Repairs Before Selling

“Should I fix up my home before selling or sell as-is?” “I just got an inspection; what do I do now?” “There are so many home repairs I could make; how do I know which ones are the most important?”

It’s worth remembering that unresolved repair issues can:

• Delay closing if a buyer requests that you do repairs or wants to negotiate the price 
• Result in much lower offers from prospective buyers if you’re determined to sell your house as-is 
• Deter buyers altogether and let your home stall on the market

So, making necessary repairs before you put your home on the market is generally a good idea. But which home repairs are worth making is another matter entirely since not all fixes will get you a good return on investment. 

Taking care of repairs and deferred maintenance is an important step on your home selling checklist. Whether you’re aware of any of the following issues or discovered during your pre-listing inspection, they deserve a spot on your to-do list. 

1. A damaged roof 

Your roof could have any number of issues, including:  

• Broken or missing shingles or ridge caps 
• Water damage from clogged storm gutters, damaged weather stripping, etc
• Damaged flashings around vents 
• Punctured or torn roofing materials from fallen tree branches or debris 
• Sun damage resulting in curled shingles 

Whatever your roof’s problem areas are, getting them fixed before you list your house can prevent the home sales hangups we mentioned earlier.  

2. Problematic plumbing 

It’s also smart to handle plumbing problems such as damaged pipes, leaking sinks, and runny toilets. While they might not be causing major problems yet, potential buyers will be thinking long-term. And they won’t want the risk of water damage such as mold, dry rot, or more extensive (and expensive) pipe replacement than you may currently need.  

3. Electrical and lighting issues 

We don’t generally recommend rerouting electrical entirely. However, you should fix electrical panels that aren’t up to code to eliminate safety hazards and prevent catastrophes like house fires. Not to mention taking care of smaller issues such as:

• Replacing missing wire nuts
• Tightening up loose wire connections
• Repairing faulty power outlets and light bulb sockets

4. Improper grading and poor drainage

Water (e.g., rainfall) must be properly directed away from your home to prevent damage to your roof or your home's foundation. Gutters, downspouts, and the slope of your lawn all play a part in this. Or, at least, they should.  

If your home inspection report reveals improper grading or poor drainage, fix these issues, especially if they’ve already caused some damage, such as cracks in your home’s foundation or rotting of wooden structural beams.  

5. Foundation problems 

Besides problems related to poor drainage and water damage, your home could have other foundation issues, such as settlement and cracks in the concrete, bricks, or sheetrock. These problems can show up in a variety of ways, including:  

• Uneven floors 
• Gaps in windows and doors 
• Sinking porches 

While the repair cost varies depending on your foundation’s problem areas, most significant repairs cost thousands—if not tens of thousands—of dollars.

Instead of having to free up cash for potentially expensive repairs up front, you can get the work done now and wait until closing to pay for the work done. Not only does it take the stress out of prepping your home to sell, but it can also get you to closing faster since your home will be in better condition when you list it. We’d call that a win-win, wouldn’t you? 

6. Kitchen repairs 

Unless your kitchen is in awful shape and will make it hard for you to find a buyer at the right price, a complete renovation is likely unnecessary. However, some repairs may be in order. For example, you may need to:  

• Repair or replace broken (or beat-up) appliances  
• Repair damaged cabinets 
• Touch-up peeling, chipping, or scuffed paint 
• Fix leaks 
• Replace rusty or damaged fixtures 

For buyers, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house. So, even if you don’t do any upgrades, at the very least, yours needs to be in working order.   

7. Bathroom repairs 

As with kitchens, your bathrooms should be in good shape, too. That can mean repairing: 

• Runny toilets or leaky faucets 
• Broken or damaged bathroom fans 
• And finishing drywall 
• Or replacing a damaged shower or floor tiles 

Not to mention smaller tasks like replacing old or damaged caulking and rusty showerheads. 

8. Hardwood floor refinishing 

One of the advantages of hardwood flooring is that it has nine lives! Unlike other types of flooring that have to be completely replaced once damaged or worn out, hardwood floors can be sanded down and refinished several times, making them look like new.  

If yours are discolored, scratched, or slightly uneven, refinishing would be a good idea to help you attract as many buyers as possible. After all, hardwood is among the most popular options for flooring, and it’s even more attractive if it’s in great condition!

9. Paint touch-ups 

Is your interior or exterior paint peeling, chipping, bubbling, or fading? If you don’t bother to address something as simple to fix as an unsightly paint job, it could lead buyers to suspect that your home has been poorly maintained in other, larger ways. So, boost your home’s appeal by touching up paint as needed instead of hurting it. 

10. Deck and porch repairs 

Got a deck, patio, or porch? If so: 

• Make sure it’s structurally sound (including any support beams) 
• Repair water damage and termite damage 
• Make sure you have code-compliant guardrails if necessary  

You wouldn’t want any safety hazards present while showing your home or any problems that could delay closing, lead buyers to haggle on price, or scare them off completely.  

11. Pool Issues 

A pool can be attractive to prospective buyers. But since most want to do as few repairs and as little maintenance as possible upon move-in, your pool has to be well taken care of. That includes fixing circulation and filtration issues, fixing structural or foundational cracks before they cause other issues, and getting rid of excess organic waste or calcium buildup.  

12. Mold remediation 

Not only is mold a serious health hazard, but in the right conditions, it can weaken the structural integrity of your house. And it’s not an issue that will resolve over time; it will only worsen. Buyers know this. So, to keep them interested and maximize your profit from selling your house, bring in remediation pros to address any existing mold issues.  

13. Pest control 

No buyer is eager to buy a home plagued by pests. If rodents, spiders, termites, ants, or other pests are common in your area (or if you see signs of their presence), pest control is a smart investment.  

14. Damaged HVAC units 

Especially if you live in an area where the weather is either very hot or very cold at some point in the year, a working HVAC system is a huge selling point for buyers. If your current HVAC unit is either broken or running inefficiently, have it repaired or, if needed, replaced. 

15. Broken or damaged garage doors 

Garage doors don’t just need to work. They need to be up to code and compliant with safety regulations. So it’s worth having yours inspected and repaired as needed, along with ensuring that the garage door remotes are working properly. 

16. Damaged drywall 

From nail holes to discoloration to dents and larger holes, there are several reasons why drywall may need to be repaired. If you have any such issues, fix them immediately since they can make a poor impression on prospective buyers.  

17. Damaged doors and windows 

As mentioned earlier, foundation issues can ill affect doors and windows, leaving gaps between them, making them hard to close, etc. But that’s not the only reason they could be damaged. If your windows are cracked, frames are dented, or screens are torn, fix them. The same goes for doors with damaged door jambs, improperly aligned hardware, or other problems.  

You should also know what not to fix. 

Knowing what’s worth fixing is crucial to attracting the broadest set of buyers and getting your home sold at or above the asking price. But so is knowing what not to fix. After all, who wants to invest in improvements that won’t do much to boost either appraised or fair market value (and that may even cut into net profit)? 

Your real estate agent’s role 

Ultimately, your real estate agent will be in the best position to advise you on what repairs are necessary.