What should and shouldn’t I fix before selling a house?

Selling a house is a significant undertaking, often involving a whole host of logistical, financial and practical decisions. In fact, there is so much to consider that it’s commonly said buying or selling a house is one of the most stressful things you can do. Of course, with the right team behind you, that stress is halved, if not eliminated completely. 

At Readings Property Group, we’ve been helping people buy, sell, and let for over 85 years. In that time, it’s fair to say we’ve learned a few things about the real estate market, and in this blog, we’ll pass on some top tips for selling your home in the UK. In particular, we’ll focus on one of the most common questions we get asked by potential sellers, which is what to fix/what not to fix when selling a house. 

We’ll discuss how to prepare your house for sale without breaking the bank and also help you decide what repairs and improvements are worth investing in before putting your property on the market.

What to fix before selling 

One of the most common mistakes when selling a home is to focus too much on big, expensive renovations and overlook the small, easily fixable things. Before thinking about home improvements, concentrate on getting all the basics up to a reasonable standard. 

While most buyers will overlook dated tiles and bannisters, essential repairs and issues can cause doubt and worry. After all, if there are obvious signs of disrepair, what might be going on behind the walls or under the floor? Fixing these issues may or may not increase property value, but they’ll definitely result in more interested buyers and less undercutting of the listed price. 

Tackle essential repairs

Before listing your home, put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer. Buyers appreciate a home that is structurally sound and move-in ready. If you have a leaky roof, faulty plumbing, or an electrical problem that you’ve been ignoring, don’t assume that buyers will be happy to do the same.

Replace old boilers

A house with a new boiler gives potential buyers one less thing to worry about. We all know that a boiler is an expensive purchase, so if yours looks like it’s on its last legs, even the most capable buyer will want to factor in the cost of replacement. A modern boiler can even raise the overall value of your home, so it’s usually well worth the investment.

Deep clean textiles

While curtains and carpets are easily replaced by new homeowners, don’t make the mistake of overlooking yours before listing. Not only do clean textiles make a house more move-in ready, but they also give a much better first impression. 

Smoke detectors

Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be in good working order before listing the house and should be no more than ten years old. While certainly not a big expense, it’s common courtesy (and law) to sell your house with working detectors. Test yours before selling, and be sure to replace the batteries if needed.

What NOT to fix before selling 

Now you know where your money is well spent, let’s look at where it’s best saved. Here’s our list of what not to fix when selling a house. While it’s not comprehensive, these are some of the most common unnecessary expenses we see clients make before speaking to us. 

Major landscaping 

While curb appeal is a major buying factor, a complete overhaul of your home landscaping is rarely necessary. Give the garden a tidy, trim hedges and overgrown plants, mow the lawn, even plant a flowerbox out front – that’s plenty. Extensive landscaping projects aren’t just costly; they’re rarely likely to pay for themselves.

Luxury upgrades

It may seem like a surefire way to attract affluent buyers, but the assumption that spending more means you’ll add more value doesn’t always hold true. There are a few reasons for this:

• You outprice prospective buyers. The more high-end your property is, the less of the market you appeal to. The average buyer has a specific budget to work with, and if those luxury marble bathroom tiles push your home out of their bracket, they’ll look elsewhere. 
• Your style isn’t everyone’s style. While you might have given your home the royal treatment, including all the latest mod-cons and upgrades, this won’t necessarily be the aesthetic of your buyer. Avoid putting any last-minute personality stamps on your property if you plan on listing.

Major changes

In the same vein as luxury upgrades, we don’t recommend significant remodels or renovations in the lead-up to selling. There are rare occasions where a remodel can increase property value, such as turning a two-bedroom home in a good schooling area into a three-bedroom, but in general, it’s not worth the short-term investment.

For more expert advice and help with selling your property in Leicester, get in touch with Readings 

For expert advice on navigating the property market in Leicester, turn to Readings Property Group, your trusted estate agent with over 85 years of experience. As accredited estate agents, we understand the nuances of buying and selling properties in Leicester and are committed to working with you to ensure the best value for your property. 

Let us make your move to or from your home as stress-free as possible.

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