Real Estate Blog

Getting your home ready to sell is all about striking the right balance. While you want your property to shine for potential buyers, you don’t need to fix every little thing—or embark on costly upgrades. In fact, many big-ticket projects won’t pay off at closing. Here’s a friendly guide to help you focus on the repairs and updates that matter most, and skip the ones that won’t boost your bottom line. Why You Don’t Have to Fix Everything It’s natural to want your home to look its best, but pouring money into every imperfection can backfire. Many buyers prefer to make their own improvements and may not value your upgrades. Plus, most major renovations don’t recoup their costs. For example, a total kitchen overhaul or adding a new pool might sound like a great idea, but these projects rarely deliver a full return on investment. Instead, focus on what will make the strongest impression without draining your wallet. What You Should Fix When prepping your home for the market, prioritize the...

  Existing home sales hit a 14-year low in September, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book hinted at a potential shift in the housing market, noting an increase in inventory across the country. In Virginia, for instance, agents are seeing a rise in “fixer-uppers and less-than-ideal homes” hitting the market. Take Corita Stull, a single mom in Baltimore. The rental home she shares with her four sons has its quirks—including a toilet that often requires “bucket flushing” to get the job done. Despite the maintenance challenges, Stull hopes to buy the home when it goes up for sale, embracing the “fixer-upper” option as a necessary path to homeownership in today’s market. During the pandemic, buyers sought move-in-ready homes, with immediate gratification being the name of the game. But with fewer turnkey homes available, the spotlight is turning back to properties that need a little TLC. “The fixer-upper market has more su...