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What to not fix when selling a house?
What should I not fix when selling my house? I know I should try to put my best foot forward when selling, but I also don't want to go overboard and spend a bunch of money that I won't see returned to me.
Asked By Liz | Montrose, CO | 970 views | Selling | Updated 2 years ago
Answer(3)
Irene and Ricky Zhang
Keller Williams Irvine
When preparing to sell your home in Irvine, it’s important to focus on repairs that truly impact buyer perception and skip those that won’t add measurable value. Many sellers overspend on upgrades that don’t increase the sale price — so knowing what not to fix can save you time and thousands of dollars.
Generally, avoid large remodels or over-personalized improvements right before listing. You don’t need to replace perfectly functional kitchens, bathrooms, or flooring just to make them “modern.” Instead, invest in small visual updates — fresh paint, professional cleaning, minor landscaping, and light fixture replacements. Buyers value cleanliness and move-in readiness more than luxury finishes that reflect someone else’s taste.
Cosmetic imperfections like small wall dings, slightly outdated tile, or older appliances are usually fine as long as the home feels well-maintained overall. Structural or system issues (roof, HVAC, plumbing leaks), however, should be addressed or disclosed — these can derail buyer confidence and inspection negotiations.
The best approach is to prioritize ROI-driven updates guided by your Irvine real estate agent. As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group specialize in helping sellers identify which improvements truly increase market appeal and which don’t. They’ll help you strike the perfect balance between presentation and profit so you can sell your Irvine home fast without unnecessary expenses.
Generally, avoid large remodels or over-personalized improvements right before listing. You don’t need to replace perfectly functional kitchens, bathrooms, or flooring just to make them “modern.” Instead, invest in small visual updates — fresh paint, professional cleaning, minor landscaping, and light fixture replacements. Buyers value cleanliness and move-in readiness more than luxury finishes that reflect someone else’s taste.
Cosmetic imperfections like small wall dings, slightly outdated tile, or older appliances are usually fine as long as the home feels well-maintained overall. Structural or system issues (roof, HVAC, plumbing leaks), however, should be addressed or disclosed — these can derail buyer confidence and inspection negotiations.
The best approach is to prioritize ROI-driven updates guided by your Irvine real estate agent. As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group specialize in helping sellers identify which improvements truly increase market appeal and which don’t. They’ll help you strike the perfect balance between presentation and profit so you can sell your Irvine home fast without unnecessary expenses.
- 3 months ago
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Jim Crawford
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
You should definitely talk with a realtor that knows your specific area. In a sellers market, you do not have to fix anything potentially. You will have to price the home accordingly in order to get it sold, but buyers currently are willing to look past imperfections because there is so little inventory on the market.
- 2 years ago
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Katie K Portenga
Portenga Properties at Coldwell Banker Global Luxury
I would focus more on making the home look beautiful and marketable for prospective buyers. Paint the walls a neutral color like Alabaster White. If the home is vacant, I recommend staging. If it is occupied, I recommend engaging what I call an occupied stager who can work with you to make the home "show ready".
- 1 week ago
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