Why do some real estate agents recommend not doing any repairs before selling your home? Are there specific situations where this advice is best?
It sounds completely counterintuitive. You’ve spent years watching home improvement shows that preach the gospel of pristine, newly renovated houses selling for top dollar. So, when your real estate agent walks through your slightly dated home and says, “Don’t fix a thing,” it can feel like bad advice.
Here is why top agents frequently recommend listing a property completely “as-is” instead of tackling pre-sale renovations:
The ROI math rarely works in your favor
Major overhauls like full kitchen or bathroom remodels are expensive, and they almost never pay for themselves. A mid-range kitchen renovation might cost you upwards of $80,000, but data shows it typically only recoups about 51% of that cost at resale. You are essentially spending a dollar to get fifty cents back.
Buyers want their own style
Design is highly subjective. If you spend $10,000 putting down brand new carpet and painting the walls to match, the buyer might walk in, hate the colors, and plan to rip it all out anyway. By leaving the home as-is, you allow the buyer to use their own budget to customize the space to their exact taste.
It eliminates holding costs and contractor stress
Managing a renovation is practically a part-time job. Contractors get delayed, supply chains stall, and suddenly your house is sitting off the market for three extra months. During that time, you are still paying the mortgage, taxes, and utilities. Selling as-is allows you to list immediately, saving you both time and holding costs.
When is “As-Is” the absolute best strategy?
Selling without making repairs isn’t for every home, but it is a brilliant strategy in a few specific situations:
- You’re in a hot seller’s market: When housing inventory is historically low and demand is high, buyers don’t have the luxury of being picky. They are much more willing to overlook dated cabinets or scuffed floors just to secure a property.
- You inherited the property: If you are managing an estate sale for a deceased family member, you likely don’t have the time, emotional bandwidth, or upfront cash to update a home you’ve never lived in. Emptying it out and pricing it for a quick sale is often the smartest move.
- The house needs structural overhauls: If the property requires major foundational work, a new roof, or complete rewiring, it crosses the line from “fixer-upper” to “investor special.” Standard retail buyers relying on traditional financing generally won’t touch these. Price it appropriately for a cash buyer or flipper and walk away.
Keep in mind, selling as-is means you won’t get top-of-the-market pricing, but the time, stress, and cash you save often make it the more profitable choice in the end.
Watch the video Should You Sell “As-Is” or Make Repairs? (opens in new tab). This video breaks down the financial and practical trade-offs of listing a home in its current condition versus spending time and money on upgrades.