Should I Make Repairs Before Selling My Las Vegas Home?

by Ryan Rose

Your house has issues. Maybe the HVAC is ancient. The carpet's seen better days. That bathroom faucet's been dripping since 2019. Now you're selling and wondering: fix it or leave it?

The answer isn't always obvious. Let's break it down.

Repairs That Actually Pay Off

Some fixes are worth every penny. These are the ones that either scare buyers away or kill deals during inspections:

Safety issues. Exposed wiring, broken railings, tripping hazards. Fix these. No debate.

Functioning systems. If your HVAC doesn't work or your water heater is dead, repair or replace. Non-functioning major systems are deal-killers.

Active leaks. Water damage freaks buyers out. Fix the leak, dry it out, document the repair.

Obvious neglect. Peeling paint, broken fixtures, holes in walls. These scream "this house wasn't cared for" and buyers assume the worst about what they can't see.

Repairs That Probably Aren't Worth It

Not everything needs fixing before listing:

Cosmetic updates. That dated kitchen? The 1990s bathroom tile? Leave them. You won't get your money back on major cosmetic renovations, and buyers often want to choose their own finishes anyway.

Old but functioning systems. A 15-year-old AC that still works? Disclose the age, price accordingly, and let the buyer decide if they want to replace it.

Minor wear and tear. Scuffed baseboards, small carpet stains, weathered exterior paint. Price it in instead of spending thousands to fix.

The Math That Matters

Here's the question to ask: Will this repair return more than it costs?

A $200 fix for a dripping faucet? Yes. It removes a red flag that makes buyers nervous.

A $40,000 kitchen remodel? Probably not. You'll get maybe $25,000-30,000 of that back. You just donated $10,000+ to your buyer's new kitchen.

Minor repairs have great ROI. Major renovations rarely do.

What Buyers Actually See

Buyers don't see your house the way you do. They don't know about the love and memories. They see problems and dollar signs.

A house that looks well-maintained signals "this owner cared." They assume the stuff they can't see is probably fine too.

A house with obvious deferred maintenance signals "what else is wrong?" They start looking for problems. They lowball their offer. They nickel-and-dime you during inspection negotiations.

Perception matters. A few hundred bucks in small fixes can shift that perception dramatically.

The Pre-Listing Inspection Option

Not sure what needs fixing? Get a pre-listing inspection. Pay $400-500 for a professional to tell you exactly what buyers and their inspectors will find.

Then you decide: fix it, disclose it, or price for it. No surprises. No scrambling mid-escrow.

The Bottom Line

Fix what's broken or dangerous. Clean up obvious neglect. Skip the major renovations. And when in doubt, price accordingly rather than over-improving.

Not sure what's worth fixing on your Las Vegas home? Let's walk through it together. I'll tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Repairs Before Selling in Las Vegas

Q1: Should I fix my old HVAC system before selling my Las Vegas home?

It depends on whether it's functioning. If your HVAC system is old but still works, you can disclose the age and price accordingly. However, if it's completely non-functional, you should repair or replace it as buyers typically won't close on homes with broken major systems.

Q2: Are kitchen and bathroom renovations worth it before selling?

Generally, no. Major cosmetic renovations like kitchen and bathroom remodels rarely return your full investment. While you might spend $40,000 on a kitchen remodel, you'll typically only recoup $25,000-30,000 in added value. Buyers often prefer to choose their own finishes anyway, so it's better to price the home accordingly and let them customize.

Q3: What repairs should I absolutely make before listing?

Focus on safety issues (exposed wiring, broken railings), non-functioning major systems, active leaks, and signs of obvious neglect like peeling paint or broken fixtures. These repairs are deal-killers and signal to buyers that the home has been properly maintained.

Q4: How do I know which repairs will give me the best return on investment?

Ask yourself if the repair will return more than it costs. Minor repairs typically have excellent ROI—a $200 faucet fix removes a red flag for buyers. Major renovations rarely pay off. Focus on inexpensive fixes that address functionality and eliminate buyer concerns rather than expensive cosmetic upgrades.

Q5: Should I get a pre-listing inspection?

Yes, a pre-listing inspection is often worth the $400-500 cost. It reveals exactly what buyers and their inspectors will find, allowing you to make informed decisions about what to fix, disclose, or price for. This eliminates surprises and prevents scrambling during escrow negotiations.

Q6: How do buyers perceive homes with minor maintenance issues?

Buyers view obvious deferred maintenance as a warning sign. They assume if you neglected visible issues, there are probably hidden problems too. This leads to lowball offers and aggressive inspection negotiations. Conversely, a well-maintained appearance signals care and gives buyers confidence that unseen systems are probably fine.

Q7: What should I do about minor cosmetic wear and tear?

For minor issues like scuffed baseboards, small carpet stains, or weathered paint, it's usually better to price them into your listing rather than spend thousands on fixes. These don't typically scare buyers away like safety or functionality issues do.

Q8: How should I handle buyer repair requests after the inspection?

Buyer repair requests are negotiable. Having already addressed major safety and functionality issues before listing puts you in a stronger position. You can choose to make additional repairs, offer credits, or adjust the price. The key is understanding which requests are reasonable versus which are buyer's remorse in disguise.