What to Fix Before Selling Your Arlington Home

Do you have to fix everything before you sell? Use Keep, Fix, Improve, Skip to spend only where buyers will notice.

What should I fix before selling my home in Arlington, Virginia? Fix what buyers will notice and what could scare them off, like leaks, broken items, and tired paint. Skip big projects that will not pay you back.

Many sellers think they have to renovate everything. They do not. Some projects help and some waste money. The trick is to sort them before you spend a dollar.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

We sort every project into four piles. Strategy before spending.

Keep

Keep. Leave it alone. A kitchen that is dated but clean and working is often a Keep. Buyers can picture their own plans for it.

Fix

Fix. Small problems that buyers read as big problems. A dripping faucet, a cracked outlet cover, a sticky door, peeling caulk, a loose railing. These are cheap, and they matter because buyers wonder what else was ignored.

Improve

Improve. Things that make the home look cared for. Fresh paint in a neutral color, clean carpets, bright light bulbs, trimmed shrubs, a clear front walk.

Skip

Skip. Big, expensive projects where the money is unlikely to come back. A full kitchen remodel the week before listing is a common example. Whether it pays depends on the home, the street, and the competition.

• How the home looks from the street

• Smells and clutter

• Condition of floors and walls

• Whether the home feels bright

• Visible repairs that were never done

Arlington has very different homes close together: 1940s houses, duplexes, townhouses, and condos. A project that makes sense for one may make no sense for the next.

Clean, bright, and uncluttered rooms help Arlington buyers focus on the home.

Every seller gets The White Glove Home Sale Method at NO Additional Cost, whatever the price or type of home. That can include painting, repairs, staging, deep cleaning, carpet and window cleaning, power washing, landscaping, and hauling away what you do not want to move. We get your home ready to win at no cost to you.

Do I have to renovate before I sell?

No. We look at your home, your street, and the competition, then decide what is worth doing.

Should I replace my old kitchen or bathrooms?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on what buyers at your price expect. We walk through it with you before you spend.

How early should I start getting ready?

Earlier is easier. Starting a few weeks before listing gives time for repairs, cleaning, and photos without rushing.

Not sure what your home needs? Call or text Claudia at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.