Should I make repairs before listing my home?
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ragusa, Licensed Real Estate Broker and Broker of Record, REMI Realty LLC — 11+ years of transactions across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
The short answer
Sometimes making repairs before listing is a smart move. I offer clients a pre-listing inspection where I walk through the property and evaluate it the way a home inspector would. Drawing on my construction and renovation experience, I identify issues that could give buyers leverage to negotiate a lower price. With this assessment, the seller can decide which projects make sense to tackle in order to improve value. That said, many homes across Long Island — from Dix Hills to Holbrook to Oyster Bay — can be sold successfully as-is.
A documented repair decision
At 30 Columbine Lane, I first estimated what the property might sell for as-is. I then compared that number with the cost and likely return of specific improvements. That comparison—not the condition of the house by itself—is why I recommended completing targeted work before listing.
Read the 30 Columbine Lane case study →