If you own an older home that’s in need of repairs and you want to sell, you may be torn between knowing how much work you need to do to make the house attractive for buyers and dumping too much money into the house prior to sale. When you want to sell a fixer-upper, the best thing that you can do is work with a real estate professional who has experience selling fixer-uppers. In addition to calling a realtor, other tips to get your property in prime condition for sale include the following—

You’re already selling a home that’s old and in need of repairs; don’t let mess and grime turn off buyers even more. When selling a fixer-upper (or any home for that matter), it’s strongly recommended that you contact a professional cleaning service before any photos are taken and before each open house. Most buyers can tolerate old, but can’t tolerate gross.

While you don’t necessarily want to put a lot of money into expensive repairs, there’s probably some low-hanging fruit you can tackle that can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase its value. For example, put on a fresh coat of paint, change out lightbulbs, update outlet and switch covers, and remove damaged blinds.

Talk to a Professional About Major Repairs

If your home needs major repairs—such as a new roof or a furnace—you should talk to a professional before performing these repairs or replacements. Your realtor may advise you to go ahead with the repairs, or may suggest that you list the home as-is and try to negotiate something with a buyer during the contract phase.

It’s smart to know what’s going on with your home before you list it for sale, so scheduling a pre-listing inspection is a good idea. This will provide you with everything you need to know about your home’s condition, giving you the chance to disclose it to a buyer upfront. Giving buyers a copy of the pre-inspection report can create a more competitive environment as everyone knows what’s available and what to expect.

Finally, if your home is old and in need of repairs, one of the best things that you can do is burst curb appeal by cleaning up the yard, planting some fresh flowers, weeding garden beds, and washing the deck, driveway, and walkways. Also, get your windows cleaned.

At The Jana Caudill Team, we know that selling a fixer-upper can be a little bit more complex. When you call our realtors, we’ll get to work helping you understand your options and how to get the best value for your home possible. Reach out to us today online or by phone to get started.