Are you thinking about selling your house as is? Read this first.

If you are considering selling your home this year, you may be deciding between two options:

• Do you sell it as it is and make it easier for yourself? No repairs. No trouble.
• Or do you fix it a little first? – so that it is clearly visible and sold for as much as possible?

In 2026, that decision will be more important than before. Here’s what you need to know.

More competition means that the condition of your home becomes more important again

The number of homes for sale has increased in the past year. And one this year Realtor.com According to the forecast, it could rise again 8.9%. That matters. As buyers gain more options, they once again gain the opportunity to be selective. So the details start to count again.

That’s one reason why most sellers choose to make some updates before listing.

According to one recent study of the National Association of Real Estate Agents (NAR), two-thirds of sellers (65%) made minor repairs or improvements before selling (the blue and the green in the diagram below). And only a third (35%) are sold as is:

What selling as is really means

Selling as is means stating up front that you don’t want to make repairs before offering or negotiating a solution after inspection. That can certainly simplify things on your end, but it also reduces your buyer pool.

Homes that are move-in ready tend to attract more buyers and stronger offers. On the other hand, if a house needs work, fewer buyers are willing to take it on. That can mean fewer showings, fewer listings, more time on market, and often a lower final price.

It doesn’t mean your house won’t sell; it just means it might not sell for the maximum retail price.

How an agent can help

What should you do? The answer is not one-size-fits-all. It will depend a lot on your home and your local market.

And that’s why working with a real estate agent is a must. The right real estate agent will help you weigh your options and anticipate what your home will yield in either case – and that can be a key factor in your final decision.

• If you choose to sell as is: They draw attention to the best features, such as location, size and more, so buyers can easily see the potential, not just the projects.
• If you decide to make repairs: Your agent can determine what is really worth the time and effort, based on your budget and what buyers value most.

The good news is that there is still time to make repairs. Normally, spring is the peak home buying season, so there are still several months to go before buyer demand reaches its seasonal peak. That means you have time to make a few repairs, without haste or stress, and still end up in the right place on the listing.

The choice is yours. Whatever you choose, your agent will market your home to attract as many buyers as possible. And in today’s market, that expertise will be worth it.

In short

While selling as is may still make sense in certain situations, doing so may come at a cost in some markets today. So no, you don’t need to make any repairs before listing. But maybe you want to.

To ensure you consider all your options and make the best possible choice, contact a real estate agent for a quick consultation about your home.

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