Keeping your house in good shape can pay big dividends when it’s time to sell. Buyers prefer houses that require minimal repair and are move-in ready. If a potential buyer sees too much work to do done, they may ask you to take care of it before they purchase your home or walk away from the deal altogether. Don’t let an opportunity fall apart because you neglected key repairs.  

What to Repair Before Selling a House 

Bathrooms and Kitchen 

Mechanical systems, such as electrical and plumbing, are the most likely parts of your home to incur damage over the years. This means that your bathrooms and kitchens should be top of your list to repair.  

To ensure that potential buyers don’t have concerns about your bathrooms and kitchen: 

• Make sure bathtub and shower drains are unclogged 
• Your faucets and showerheads need to be fully functional 
• If the acrylic on your bathtub is peeling, replace the tub or resurface it 
• The exhaust fan which eliminates the steam from the shower should be operating properly 
• Replace damaged tiles 
• Check for potential leaks in the faucets 
• The hot and cold options marked on the faucets should be working properly 
• Make certain that the overflow drains, which prevent overflowing of the bathtub water, are working properly 

In addition, make sure that all of your kitchen cabinets and drawers are opening and closing smoothly and free of rotting or water damage. Fix stuck drawers, repair loose hinges, and replace damaged handles and knobs. If you notice any chipped paint, repaint the cupboards. And, if the cabinets are severely damaged and beyond repair, replace them. 

Finally, make sure the dishwasher, oven, cooktop, refrigerator, etc. are clean and working properly.   

Flooring and Walls 

Whether it’s carpet, hardwood, laminate, or tile, every floor in every room should be in top condition. Replace cracked or chipped tiles. Refinish dented or scratched wooden flooring. If you have torn or dirty carpets, replace them or get them deep-cleaned. (And if deep-cleaning doesn’t take care of the spots or stains, replace the carpets!) 

Repair minor dents and nail holes in your walls. If you see chipped walls, repaint them. Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to give your home a fresh look. Repainting floorboards and doors can also provide a nice update. Although you may be so accustomed to “blemishes” in your home that you don’t notice them, prospective home buyers will. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

First off, if you don’t have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, install them on every floor, in each bedroom, and outside of each bedroom. Put carbon monoxide detectors near, but not inside, an attached garage. 

Most smoke alarms have a lifespan of eight to 10 years, and the batteries should be replaced every year. Carbon monoxide detectors last between five and seven years and the batteries should be replaced every six months. 

HVAC and Electrical 

Your air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems should be clean, leak-free, and in good working condition. If you haven’t had your system maintained, now is the time to bring in an HVAC contractor.  

If you have an old electrical system with fuse boxes, upgrade it to a circuit breaker. If you have electric panels with Federal Pacific or Sylvania/Zinsco GTE labels, replace those as well. Also, make sure your water heater is able to generate sufficient hot water for multiple showers running at the same time.   

Garage 

Make sure the garage is clean and uncluttered. Repaint the exterior door if need be. It should also meet all safety criteria. If you notice broken coils or springs, call a garage door company to repair or replace the door. 

Roof 

Make sure the roof doesn’t have any broken or missing tiles, ridge caps, or shingles to prevent your house from water damage. Check for blisters, bubbles, and cracks in the sealant. If you notice roof leaks, report them to roofing contractors near you and get them fixed ASAP. 

Foundation 

The foundation, retaining wall, and stem wall of your home should be structurally damage-free. If you notice unstable foundation signs such as horizontal cracks in the foundation, sagging floors, or cracks in the exterior walls, hire a contractor to evaluate the condition of the foundation and advise you if any repairs need to be made.