Selling your home without fixing it up first? It’s not just happening — it’s becoming the move. More and more homeowners are choosing to skip the repairs, the renovations, the weeks of staging and stress. Instead, they’re going straight to market — as-is.
Why? Because it’s working.
This shift in mindset is shaking up how people sell homes today. Sellers are reevaluating what actually gets them a better return — and realizing that time, money, and hassle may not be worth it. Let’s dig into why this “no-reno” trend is gaining steam, and why skipping the fix-it frenzy might actually be the smarter play.
The Cost of Prepping to Sell — And the Stress That Comes With It
If prepping your house for sale feels like a full-time job, that’s because it often is.
According to Clever Real Estate, a whopping 88% of home sellers feel stressed during the process. What’s driving that anxiety? For many, it’s the money:
- 40% worry about repair and closing costs
- 72% fear overspending on staging or upgrades — and that jumps to 76% for sellers with mortgages
- 58% are concerned about inspections revealing surprise issues
In other words, it’s not just about fixing a leaky faucet. It’s the fear of sinking thousands into improvements that might not pay off.
The ROI Myth: When Fixing Doesn’t Add Up
Let’s talk returns. Because one of the biggest reasons sellers renovate is the hope that they’ll make that money back — or more.
But that’s not always the case.
Data from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry shows mixed results:
- Kitchen remodel: ~$80,000 with about 75% ROI
- Bathroom remodel: Around 71% ROI
- New master suite: Over $170,000, but just 56% recouped
- Refinished hardwood floors: This one’s the outlier, with an impressive 147% ROI
Translation? Most high-dollar renovations won’t give you a full return — especially the ones that eat up time, money, and your sanity.
And with housing markets cooling in some areas, that return could shrink further.
Buyers Want Move-In Ready — But Sellers Are Overwhelmed
Now here’s the twist: Buyers still love move-in-ready homes. In fact, a 2025 Better Homes & Gardens report found that fixer-uppers are losing ground, selling for 7.3% less than turnkey properties.
Why? Because labor costs are up. Supply chains are a mess. And Millennials and Gen Z buyers — who now make up a growing chunk of the market — don’t want a project. They want a place to live. Now.
But while buyers crave perfection, sellers are hitting the wall. Between the fear of inspection fallout and spiraling renovation bills, more sellers are simply choosing to list without the polish.
The Speed Advantage: Hit the Market Faster, Move On Sooner
There’s another big reason people are skipping repairs: speed.
Selling a home fast isn’t just convenient — it can be a strategy. Homes that linger on the market tend to draw lowball offers. A quick list, even if it’s “as-is,” gets more eyeballs and momentum early on.
For example, some homeowners looking to sell as-is in Tennessee are finding that they can skip the prep work and get straight to showing, especially in popular or competitive markets. That fast move lets them:
- Avoid rising contractor costs
- Bypass inspection surprises
- Time their sale with a new job or relocation
- Reduce holding costs (like double mortgages or rent)
Sometimes, selling “as-is” doesn’t mean giving up profit — it means protecting your time and peace of mind.
Regret Happens — But Not Always Where You’d Think
So what happens to sellers who skip repairs? Do they look back and wish they hadn’t?
According to a Zillow survey shared by Better Homes & Gardens, 25% of sellers regretted not making repairs before listing. But dig deeper, and the picture gets murkier.
The biggest regrets weren’t about skipping upgrades — they were about poor pricing and curb appeal. In fact, 39% mispriced their home, and many felt their outside presentation scared off buyers.
That suggests sellers should focus more on cleaning up and pricing smart than gutting their kitchen.
Negotiation Power: Fixes Aren’t the Only Way to Win
Sellers often feel like repairs are a must to keep buyers happy. But that’s not the only path.
Instead of spending thousands upfront, many sellers are handling repairs the old-fashioned way — by negotiating the home price post-inspection.
Here’s what that might look like:
- Listing at a slightly lower price to reflect the needed work
- Offering a closing credit for repairs
- Letting the buyer handle improvements on their terms
This not only saves the seller time, but it can also give the buyer more flexibility. They can choose their own contractor. Their own style. Their own timeline.
That freedom? It’s attractive — especially to younger buyers who want personalization without the pre-listing markup.
What Sellers Are Still Doing — Even When Skipping the Big Stuff
Skipping repairs doesn’t mean doing nothing. Sellers are just being pickier about where they spend their time and money.
According to a Zillow & Thumbtack survey:
- Sellers spent an average of $5,388 on pre-listing improvements
- 74% said it helped sell their home
- Only 30% believed doing more would’ve helped price-wise
So what are sellers still prioritizing?
Simple Wins That Still Matter:
- Painting (especially neutral tones)
- Decluttering and deep cleaning
- Landscaping touch-ups
- Minor fixes (like squeaky doors or loose handles)
These are low-cost, high-impact actions that make a house feel well-kept — without turning into a months-long project.
The Bottom Line: Repairs Are Optional — Strategy Isn’t
This isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about cutting through the noise.
Sellers today are looking at the numbers, the timing, and the hassle, and realizing: repairs aren’t mandatory. In fact, sometimes they’re a distraction from the stuff that really sells a home — like pricing smart, presenting well, and moving quickly.
For some, selling as-is will leave money on the table. For others, it’s the perfect exit strategy.
Either way, the trend is clear: more homeowners are ditching the fix-up checklist — and selling with confidence anyway.
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