Prepping your home to place it up for sale can be a daunting task. For the inexperienced home seller, it is not always clear what things should be fixed before putting it on the market. Some fixes can help your home sell faster, while other fixes can end up costing more time and money than it's worth. The best way to know what repairs to make when placing your home up for sale is to talk to your real estate agent. With their experience, they will have firsthand knowledge on which repairs will make the difference in the value of your home and the time it remains on the market. Here are some questions you should ask yourself too. 

Does It Make a Bad First Impression?

When you come to an issue in the home that you are trying to decide whether to fix or not, you should always ask yourself what a buyer's impression will be. A cracked tile or an overgrown lawn may cause the buyer to perceive that the home has not been well taken care of. One of the first things a potential buyer will see is the landscaping. Homeowners are advised to invest about 10% of the value of the home into the landscaping, according to the American Society of Landscaping Architects. It is always a good idea to fix anything that can help make a great impression on the buyer so they remain interested in the property. 

How Much Would You Have to Lower the Price?

Some fixes are just not worth the hassle. If you find something that needs to be fixed and you don't want to spend the time or the money to fix it, then maybe you should look at lowering the price of the house instead. Selling your home as is can help you sell the home faster without worrying about fixing each problem. If you choose to do this, you will have to discount the price of the home to ensure the buyer it is worth the time and effort. 

Is the Market Up or Down? 

The market has a major impact on whether you should fix issues or let them ride. If the market is trending upward and you find that it is a seller's market, repairs are less likely to be needed. If the market is a buyer's market, you will have to make more repairs to help set your home above the rest of the homes for sale. Your real estate agent can help you determine how the market is trending.