What Should You Fix Before Selling Your House in Ottawa? (And What’s a Waste of Money?)

Mar 28

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you might be wondering:
“Should I renovate? Paint? Replace the floors? Or just list it as-is?”

This is one of the most common questions we get from Ottawa homeowners—and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Here’s how to decide what’s actually worth fixing before you list your home… and what buyers don’t really care about.

Fix: Small Repairs That Make a Big First Impression

These are low-cost, high-impact changes that help buyers feel confident that your home is well-maintained.

Tighten or replace loose door handles
Patch wall dents and repaint scuffed walls (neutral colours win)
Replace burnt-out lightbulbs
Fix leaky faucets or running toilets
Re-caulk bathroom tubs, sinks, and kitchen counters
Clean windows (inside and out!)

💡 Buyers notice the little things—they assume if you skipped basic maintenance, you may have skipped bigger stuff too.

Fix: Things That Might Show Up in a Home Inspection

Think of this as damage control. You want buyers walking into their inspection ready to confirm their love for your home, not discover new problems.

Leaky roof or gutters
Worn-out furnace or hot water tank
Electrical panel issues
Foundation cracks or water damage
Poor grading near the foundation

💡 We always recommend a pre-listing consultation to catch red flags before buyers do.

Optional: Cosmetic Touch-Ups That Depend on Your Home’s Price Point

Some updates may be worth it, if your home is in a competitive price range.

Consider:

New cabinet handles or light fixtures
Painting dark or bold walls a soft neutral (beige is always safe)
Replacing stained carpet or damaged laminate
Adding inexpensive modern staging pieces (rugs, art, pillows)

But skip the full kitchen reno.
You’re unlikely to make that money back unless your home is in the luxury market. Most buyers want to do their own upgrades anyway.

Don’t Bother: These Won’t Make or Break Your Sale

Landscaping beyond basic lawn care
Replacing all appliances with high-end models
Renovating one room and leaving the rest outdated
Putting in new flooring if yours is already in decent shape

💡 Focus your time and money on things that impact the buyer’s first impression and the inspection, not on chasing perfection.

Bonus Tip: Clean Like It’s an Airbnb

We can’t say this enough: a clean home sells faster and for more money.

Declutter and depersonalize
Deep clean appliances
Clean under sinks, in closets, and in drawers
Keep it spotless for showings (we know it’s tough—ask us about short-term storage or cleaning referrals)