Mandatory Repairs when Selling Your Home

Deciding what repairs are mandatory before selling a home is a common question I receive. Trying to figure out what repairs need to be done before listing a home can be confusing. Some items will help you sell your home faster for more money. Yet, some items may not be necessary.

In this article, we are going to break down a few of the most common repairs. Each property situation is different. For a customized repair list for your home, contact me or your local real estate professional.

Mandatory Repairs:

Some repairs may attract a buyer to write an offer, while other repairs will help you move through the inspection period. If you think about it, both are needed. What good is it to attract a buyer only to have the contract fall apart during the inspection period? Or, if you have a solid house but it doesn’t attract a buyer, you are left without a contract.

(Note – rules and regulations are different from state to state. I’m in Florida where an inspection period during the first several days of the contract is common. Some states, like Texas, require the seller to do the inspection before the contract and report the findings to the potential buyer).

Repairs to attract a Buyer

Curb appeal

This can be simple and inexpensive, yet often overlooked.

Ask yourself, “When a buyer pulls up and walks to the front door, what do they see?”

Below are a few tips to freshen up your curb appeal.

Spruce up your front entry by cleaning it first. Pressure wash the front sidewalk, entry, and door.
Lay some fresh mulch and edge the flower beds.
Add some color with a few flooring plants to greet potential buyers as they walk in.
Clean your front door threshold.
Hang a wreath or something inviting at the front door.

I found a great article on Better Homes & Gardens to provide additional tips

Inside the home

Put your wallet away. Most of the items needing repair inside the home can be handled with some elbow grease.

CLEAN, CLEAN, AND CLEAN. The home needs to be spotless! Baseboards, doorways, floors, countertops, bathrooms, kitchen (including pantry and refrigerator), and yes, remove the dust bunnies under the bed! The home shouldn’t just look clean, it should feel and smell clean.
Depersonalize, Declutter, Discard.
- This includes removing everything from your countertops in the bathrooms and kitchen. Show off that lovely counter space!
- Clean out your closets. Show floor space, fold your towels and sheets (even the fitted ones), and pack everything you won’t need for the next 1-3 months.
- Clear off nightstands, coffee tables, and end tables.
- Paint. You don’t need to paint every room in the house UNLESS every room in the house needs it. Are your colors bold, bright, personalized, or outdated? A fresh coat of paint on the walls and trim goes a long way! Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray is a great choice to neutralize and brighten your space.
- Remove personalized items that say “This is my home, not yours”.

The most important thing to remember is that buyers are not buying your home, they are buying their home. To read more about the impacts of having your home depersonalized, read my blog, A Major Challenge for Homeowners.

Backyard Repairs

More and more buyers are looking for a home that provides an experience. What experience does your backyard provide? If the experience screams “work” then it is time to get your hands dirty.

Layout fresh mulch
Blow off the patio
Add a seating arrangement
Freshen up outdoor cushions
Add a few potted plants with color

Mandatory Repairs for the Sales Contract

In Florida, insurance companies require a 4-point inspection.

You can read more about a 4-point here and the different types of inspections. Below are the basic 4 points

Roof
HVAC
Electrical
Plumbing

If any of these items have issues, the buyer will have trouble finding an insurance provider. If the buyer is unable to secure insurance, they will not be able to get a loan on the property. So yes, these are mandatory repairs.

Having a 4-point inspection done before putting your home on the market and making the necessary repairs will save you time and potential heartache in the future. Your local Realtor can help you find a home inspection company to help.

Updating and Remodeling

Above I pointed out common repairs needed. However, updating kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, etc are big ticket items that sellers often ask about. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer. It depends on the age, condition, and style.

As my friend and fellow Realtor, Martie, says, “If you don’t want to spend the money, neither will the buyer”. Market conditions have changed and so have buyer demands. Consult with your local real estate professional for more personalized advice on your situation.

If you are reading this article and are on the fence about selling your home, I would recommend you update the items that will make the home more comfortable for you. Spend the money and enjoy the benefits.

About the Author

Rachel Sartain Tenpenny has been selling real estate in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. Her experience as a professional in the real estate industry includes launching and leading the area’s largest real estate brokerage and managing over $1 billion in annual sales. She has experienced the booms, the busts, and the roller-coaster in between. Her experience is invaluable to the buyers and sellers she works with.