Is It Worth Fixing Up My House Before Selling?

Jan 20

Written By Josh Wernick

Sometimes yes. Often no.

The mistake sellers make is assuming all improvements add value.

Improvements That Often Pay Off

Paint
Flooring refreshes
Minor cosmetic updates
Deferred maintenance fixes

Improvements That Often Don’t

Major remodels… what if it’s not what they want?
Highly personal upgrades… what if it has the opposite effect
Over-customization… are you going beyond what ‘X’ is worth to someone?

Buyers value condition — not perfection.

Bottom Line

The goal is not to renovate.
It’s to remove objections.

→ Selling in the next 3 months
→ Selling in the next 3–6 months

Josh Wernick

Why Do Some Houses Sit on the Market?

MONTGOMERYVILLE

601 Bethlehem Pike Bldg B Ste 100

Montgomeryville, Pa 18936

Each office is independently owned and operated.

CONSUMER NOTICE: In an effort to enable consumers of real estate services to make informed decisions about the business relationships they may have with real estate brokers and salespersons (licensees), the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA) requires that consumers be pro vided with this Notice at the initial interview. • Licensees may enter into the following agency relationships with consumers: Seller Agent As a seller agent the licensee and the licensee’s company works exclusively for the seller/landlord and must act in the seller’s/landlord’s best interest, including making a continuous and good faith effort to find a buyer/tenant except while the property is subject to an existing agreement. All confidential information relayed by the seller/landlord must be kept confidential except that a licensee must reveal known material defects about the property. A subagent has the same duties and obligations as the seller agent. Buyer Agent As a buyer agent, the licensee and the licensee’s company work exclusively for the buyer/tenant even if paid by the seller/landlord. The buyer agent must act in the buyer/tenant’s best interest, including making a continuous and good faith effort to find a property for the buyer/ tenant, except while the buyer is subject to an existing contract, and must keep all confidential information, other than known material defects about the property, confidential. Dual Agent As a dual agent, the licensee works for both the seller/landlord and the buyer/tenant. A dual agent may not take any action that is adverse or detrimental to either party but must disclose known material defects about the property. A licensee must have the written consent of both parties before acting as a dual agent. Designated Agent As a designated agent, the broker of the selected real estate company designates certain licensees within the company to act exclusively as the seller/landlord agent and other licensees within the company to act exclusively as the buyer/tenant agent in the transaction. Because the broker supervises all of the licensees, the broker automatically serves as a dual agent. Each of the designated licensees are required to act in the applicable capacity explained previously. Additionally, the broker has the duty to take reasonable steps to assure that confidential information is not disclosed within the company. • In addition, a licensee may serve as a Transaction Licensee. A transaction licensee provides real estate services without having any agency relationship with a consumer. Although a transaction licensee has no duty of loyalty or confidentiality, a transaction licensee is prohibited from disclosing that: • The seller will accept a price less than the asking/listing price, • The buyer will pay a price greater than the price submitted in the written offer, and • The seller or buyer will agree to financing terms other than those offered. Like licensees in agency relationships, transaction licensees must disclose known material defects about the property. • Regardless of the business relationship selected, all licensees owe consumers the duty to: • Exercise reasonable professional skill and care which meets the practice standards required by the RELRA. • Deal honestly and in good faith. • Present, as soon as practicable, all written offers, counteroffers, notices and communications to and from the parties. This duty may be waived by the seller where the seller’s property is under contract and the waiver is in writing.

Is It Worth Fixing Up My House Before Selling?

Improvements That Often Pay Off

Improvements That Often Don’t

Bottom Line

Why Do Some Houses Sit on the Market?

What Costs Do Sellers Pay When Selling a House in PA?