Should You Put 20% Down on Your Next Home?If you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment.The truth is, you
Before Selling Your Home As-Is? Read This First.
Dated: January 7 2026
Views: 3
Before Selling Your Home As-Is? Read This First.
If you’re thinking about selling your house this year, you may be torn between two options:
- Do you sell it as-is and make it easier on yourself? No repairs. No effort.
- Or do you fix it up a bit first – so it shows well and sells for as much as possible?
In 2026, that decision matters more than it used to. Here’s what you need to know.
More Competition Means Your Home’s Condition Is More Important Again
Over the past year, the number of homes for sale has been climbing. And this year, a Realtor.com forecast says it could go up another 8.9%. That matters. As buyers gain more options, they also re-gain the ability to be selective. So, the details are starting to count again.
That’s one reason most sellers choose to make some updates before listing.
According to a recent study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), two-thirds of sellers (65%) completed minor repairs or improvements before selling (the blue and the green in the chart below). And only one-third (35%) sold as-is:
What Selling As-Is Really Means
Selling as-is means you’re signaling upfront that you won’t handle repairs before listing or negotiate fixes after inspection. That can definitely simplify things on your end, but it also narrows your buyer pool.
Homes that are move-in ready typically attract more buyers and stronger offers. On the flip side, when a home needs work, fewer buyers are willing to take it on. That can mean fewer showings, fewer offers, more time on the market, and often a lower final price.
It doesn’t mean your house won’t sell – it just means it may not sell for as much as it could have.
How an Agent Can Help
So, what should you do? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s going to depend a lot on your house and your local market.
And that’s why working with an agent is a must. The right agent will help you weigh your options and anticipate what your house may sell for either way – and that can be a key factor in your final decision.
- If you choose to sell as-is: They’ll call attention to the best features, like the location, size, and more, so it’s easy for buyers to see the potential, not just the projects.
- If you decide to make repairs: Your agent can pinpoint what's really worth the time and effort based on your budget and what buyers care about the most.
The good news is, there's still time to get repairs done. Typically speaking, the spring is the peak homebuying season, so there are still several months left before buyer demand will be at its seasonal high. That means you have time to make some repairs, without rushing or stressing, and still hit the listing sweet spot.
The choice is yours. No matter what you end up picking, your agent will market your house to draw in as many buyers as possible. And in today’s market, that expertise is going to be worth it.
Bottom Line
While selling as-is can still make sense in certain situations, in some markets today, it may cost you. So, no, you don’t have to make repairs before you list. But you may want to.
To make sure you’re considering all your options and making the best choice possible, let's have a quick conversation about your house.
Dan Weis
As a life-long resident of Cincinnati, I'm a 1979 graduate of Princeton High School and attended Miami University before serving in the U.S. Army for 4 years as a Russian linguist. I've been happily m....
Latest Blog Posts
Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are Where They Are Right NowIf you're waiting for mortgage rates to fall a lot before you buy, you may be waiting a while. But before you get discouraged, there's a
Should You Rent Your House Since It Hasn't Sold Yet?When your house sits on the market longer than expected, it can get frustrating fast.You start asking: what now? And for a growing number of
ARMs Can Be Financially Dangerous!The primary negatives of adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are the unpredictability of future payments, the high risk of significantly higher interest rates
© 2026 Dayton Area Board of Realtors. All rights reserved. Information deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes from Dayton Area Board of Realtors and the Broker Reciprocity Program.sm. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Comey & Shepherd, REALTORS are marked with the BR logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. Listing broker has attempted to offer accurate data, but
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes
in part from the Broker Reciprocity™ program of the Multiple
Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati. Real estate listings held by
brokerage firms other than Comey & Shepherd, REALTORS are marked with the MLS ™ logo
(the small logo to the left) and detailed information about them includes
the name of the listing brokers. The information herein is furnished by the property owner in
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawl. Neither listing broker(s) nor SE IN BD REALTORS shall be held responsible for typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.
