Should You Fix Your Home or Offer a Credit Before Selling?

By John Salkowski

The JRS Realty Group, founded by high-producing Real Estate Broker & Author John Salkowski was built on the notion that the secret to achieving incredible goals and getting true results is to dominate real estate with a team approach.

Imagine listing your home and selling it faster than you expected… for more money than you thought possible. One key factor that can make this happen is deciding whether to complete repairs before listing or offer buyers a credit.

I want to share a real-life example that shows why this decision matters.

Why repairs sometimes win over credits. Last year, in December 2025, I reached out to a home seller whose property had expired on the market. During our meeting, he told me he needed a new roof and was thinking of offering buyers a credit instead. Unfortunately, buyers weren’t interested in taking that approach.

I suggested something different: “Instead of reducing the price for a new roof, why don’t you just put a new roof on the property?”

This turned out to be some of the best advice I could give him. His home was in a fantastic area with great schools, but it had been priced lower due to the roof issue. By investing in repairs upfront, we were able to raise the listing price rather than lower it.

How the new roof changed the outcome. After consulting and coordinating the work, he hired a roofer and had a new roof installed. We then listed the home a few months later. The result was impressive:

• The home is listed for $750,000, $20,000 more than before.
• It sold in about 45 days at full price.

This shows that some repairs, especially major ones like a roof, can increase your home’s value and attract buyers more quickly than offering credit.

When to offer a credit vs. make repairs. Not every repair requires spending money upfront. Some minor issues or non-essential repairs can be handled by offering a credit, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all decision.

The most important step is having a one-on-one conversation. A 30 to 60-minute consultation can help you figure out:

• Which repairs are worth doing before listing
• Which issues might be addressed by offering a credit
• The best strategy for your home and market

There’s never any obligation to meet, but this guidance can save you time, money, and stress.

If you have any questions about whether to repair or offer a credit, feel free to reach out to (610) 709-5147, email john@jrsrealtygroup.com, or visit inspiredbythegrind.com. I’d love to help you make the best choice for your home.