Repair or Styling: What to Do Before Selling Your House

Comparison and Contrast

When preparing to sell your house, one of the factors you'll want to consider is how up-to-date your property is. Is your home equipped with modern features or does it look outdated by several decades in terms of finishes, wallpapers and other elements that make it resemble an item from a vintage catalog?

Outdated homes can find their ideal buyer or someone willing to invest effort. However, you'll need patience and leave the home on the market longer than usual or accept a lower selling price, as demand will be significantly lower.

Don't Style It Yourself

One of the most common issues homeowners face when deciding whether to renovate before selling is misunderstanding styling. Styling is how you prepare your home for photos and showings. A perfectly styled house should be very simple, anonymous, and minimalist; for example, it still needs the appropriate amount of furniture but family photos should be removed.

Experienced realtors can do wonders during the styling process, transforming your home into a beautiful empty space for potential buyers. Just don't style it yourself because like everything else, this is a skill that needs to be learned.

Know Your Investments

Many tasks may fall under the category of 'renovation,' which are standard for any real estate sale, such as applying a fresh coat of paint. However, for anything more extensive, you'll want to weigh the pros and cons and consider costs. Almost every renovation costs more than what you’ll earn back, so evaluate the improvements you plan to make and assess the financial aspects. Will the cost of renovation be justified compared to its impact on the sales process?

Selling a House Isn't Always as Simple as It Seems

If your house requires extensive repairs or you're in the situation of selling an old family home that no longer looks like it did before, you may find yourself between a rock and a hard place.

This happens because selling a house requires significant effort, and most people don't realize what challenges full-scale renovations involve. While there will always be a few determined investors, you'll either have to give up a large portion of value or spend a lot of money.

The average house doesn't require a full renovation to hit the market, but most need at least some improvements and every house should be styled. Spend a little time researching the market, costs associated with potential property enhancements and other issues, then draw your conclusion.

People have different priorities and capabilities when preparing to sell real estate, and you should consider these factors as you navigate this complex process.