It is one of the biggest questions facing imminent home sellers: to fix or not to fix? On one hand, repairing the problems in your home takes time and money that you might not have. On the other hand, repairs will increase your home’s value, guaranteeing you more income after the sale goes through. So, what should you do?

The truth is your decisions about fixing up your home will largely depend on where you live. In different parts of the country, different home conditions are more or less acceptable. For instance, in big cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia, handyman services are essential for creating turnkey homes that buyers want. Meanwhile, in more rural areas, fixer-uppers are ideal.  

Yet, no matter where you live, there are a few problems that you always need to fix. Here’s a list of reasons you need a handyman to come service your home before you sell.

Ineffectual Elements

Too often, homeowners forget what is wrong in their homes because they are so accustomed to working around broken or nonoperational elements. However, as soon as a potential buyer steps onto the property, they will be looking for reasons to say “no” to this sale. Thus, you need to put energy into fixing what is ineffective in and around your home, which frequently requires the services of a handyman.

To start, you can use your initial inspection report as a guide. If you haven’t already invested time and money in fixing the issues your inspector initially found, you should do so now. You might also pay attention to the concerns that homebuyers in your area often have. For instance, in cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia, handyman services should ensure the house is completely turnkey because buyers are generally disinterested in fixer-uppers.

Problems With Paint

Even if your home is already filled with pleasant neutral hues, you probably need to apply a coat of paint before you officially move out. Dirty, dull walls in outdated or unconventional shades are unappealing to buyers, and stains from issues like incorrigible kids, water leaks and greasy food should be covered up before you try to sell.

As tempted as you might be to paint your home yourself, the truth is that a bad paint job is just as uninviting as no paint job at all. Fortunately, a handyman can patch up your paint in no time, providing a professional-looking finish that will turn homebuyers’ heads.

Cruddy Countertops

You don’t have to renovate your entire kitchen or all your bathrooms to offer buyers a trendy look. In fact, you might only need to refresh or replace the countertops to breathe new life into these critical spaces. You can hire handyman services to clean out and patch the grout of tiled countertops and  backsplashes. If your countertops look outdated, you can use a handyman to remove them and replace them with a nicer finish, like granite, marble, stainless steel or even concrete. Because this process requires strength and finesse, it is a job you really shouldn’t attempt without experience and the right tools.

Limp Lighting

The right lights have a major impact on how a home looks and feels. In the past, many corners of a home were kept dark and dreary; design trends nowadays demand light, so installing more fixtures throughout your home is a good idea. Some ideas for improving your home’s lighting include:

• Recessed lighting. Every room should have easily accessible, bright lights that don’t take up space, and recessed lights fit the bill.
• Pendant lights. Pendant lights provide direct light on small areas, like a kitchen table or bar.
• Under cabinet lights. Another form of task lighting, these lights add functional ambiance to the kitchen.
• Chandelier. Perfect for dining rooms and entry ways, chandeliers make statements about the style of the home and look undeniably grand.
• Exterior lights. Flood lights, Miami lights and other forms of exterior lights illuminate pathways, add drama to landscaping and more.

However, installing lighting can be difficult, especially if you have no experience working with your home’s electrical system. Instead of risking an electrical shock, you should hire a handyman to make these changes before you put your home on the market.