One of the Top Questions Sellers Ask: “What Should I Fix Before Listing?”

Not every repair increases your sale price.
Not every update is worth doing.
But the right improvements can help you attract better buyers, reduce inspection issues, and sell for a higher price.

As a listing specialist serving Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter, Eagle Lake, Lake Crystal, Waseca, Janesville, Mapleton, and surrounding Southern Minnesota communities, I help you choose repairs strategically — so you invest only in what helps your bottom line.

At The Zoet Group | Real, Smarter Real Estate Starts Here — especially when preparing your home for sale.

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⭐ High-ROI Repairs Worth Doing Before Listing

These updates help nearly every Southern MN home perform better:

✔ 1. Fresh Paint (Neutral Colors)

This is the highest ROI update for nearly every home.

• Instantly modernizes the home

• Makes rooms feel brighter

• Photographs beautifully

• Helps buyers picture themselves living there

Shades like soft white, warm beige, or greige perform extremely well.

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✔ 2. Flooring Improvements

Replace or clean carpeting in:

• Living rooms

• Bedrooms

• Hallways

• Stairs

If floors are scratched, consider:

• Refinishing hardwood

• Replacing only the worst areas

• Adding neutral luxury vinyl plank where appropriate

Flooring impacts first impressions more than almost anything else.

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✔ 3. Light Bulbs & Lighting Fixtures

You want bright, warm lighting in every room.

Easy updates:

• Replace dim or yellow bulbs

• Install matching bulbs throughout

• Update inexpensive dated fixtures

• Add brighter lighting in basements

Lighting can transform photos — and Zillow Showcase amplifies this effect.

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✔ 4. Minor Kitchen & Bath Updates

Not full remodels — just small improvements such as:

• New hardware

• Fresh caulk

• Updated faucets

• Light vanity updates

• Modern mirrors

These “micro-updates” feel high-impact for low cost.

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✔ 5. Exterior Touch-Ups

Especially important in:

• Mankato

• North Mankato

• St. Peter

• Lake Crystal

• Waseca

• Rural fringe towns

Where curb appeal varies dramatically.

Fix or address:

• Peeling paint

• Dirty siding

• Overgrown shrubs

• Broken screen doors

• Faded outdoor lights

A clean exterior boosts buyer confidence.

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✔ 6. Mechanical & Safety Items

Buyers (and inspectors) look closely at:

• Smoke/CO detectors

• Furnace filters

• GFCIs

• Loose handrails

• Minor plumbing leaks

These are simple fixes that prevent inspection headaches.

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⭐ What NOT to Fix Before Selling

Many sellers waste money on updates buyers don’t actually expect.

Do NOT do these unless absolutely necessary:

✖ Full kitchen remodels

You rarely get your money back.

✖ Full bathroom overhauls

Minor updates are better.

✖ Replacing all windows

Unless severely damaged, buyers expect some aging windows.

✖ Major landscaping projects

Basic cleanup is enough.

✖ Finishing basements

Expensive upgrade with low certainty of return.

If something is extremely costly, often it’s better to price accordingly than repair.

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⭐ What Matters MOST in Southern MN: Presentation & Marketing

Even if your home needs some updates, buyers will overlook imperfections if your home is:

• Clean

• Decluttered

• Bright

• Neutrally staged

• Photographed professionally

• Marketed intelligently

This is where Zillow Showcase becomes a massive advantage.

Showcase makes your home look:

• More modern

• Cleaner

• Larger

• More premium

Because it uses:

• Hero photos

• Ad-free layout

• Larger photo modules

• Better mobile layout

• Higher ranking in search

Even partially dated homes shine in Showcase because photography and layout are elevated.

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⭐ My Pre-Listing Evaluation Removes the Guesswork

When I walk through your home, I identify:

• Which fixes are worth doing

• Which are unnecessary

• Which will increase sale price

• Which will reduce inspection issues

• Which improve your photos

• Which make a strong first impression

I provide a clear, prioritized list — and connect you with trusted local contractors if needed.

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The Bottom Line

You don’t need to remodel your home to sell for top dollar.
You simply need:

• Smart preparation

• Strategic updates

• Intelligent pricing

• Premium marketing

• Beautiful presentation

• Zillow Showcase

• A listing specialist guiding the process

At The Zoet Group | Real, I simplify everything so you maximize your equity without wasting time or money.

Smarter Real Estate Starts Here.

Sonja Zoet | The Zoet Group | Real