What Should You Repair Before You Sell A Home

Q: We are selling our home. I just noticed a leak in one of the bathrooms. Should we tell the buyers or just fix it? Angel, Kearny, NJ

A: Normally when you sell your home, you are obligated to disclose problems that could affect the property’s market value. In most states, it’s illegal to conceal major physical defects in a property when you sell. For the most part, you’re only responsible for disclosing information that you are aware of. You should fix or disclose the leak that you found. That said, you are not responsible for renovating your entire home when you sell. Home renovations, on average, only add at most 50% of their cost to the value of a home, so from a financial standpoint, they are generally not good investments. Clearing and cleaning out garbage is fine, as is a fresh coat of paint, but anything more than that is probably not worth the time or expense. Thanks for your question, Zach.

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