Sell As-Is or Fix First

Advice from a Top Sacramento Real Estate Team

If you’re thinking about selling your home this year, you may be weighing two very different options:

Do you sell your house as-is—no repairs, no updates, no stress?

Or do you make a few strategic improvements first so your home shows better and sells for top dollar?

In 2026, this decision matters more than it has in recent years. As a top-producing real estate team in Northern California, we’re seeing market conditions shift—and sellers need to be more intentional than ever.

At The MORE Real Estate Group, a high-performance, award-winning real estate team and the #1 Keller Williams team in the Northern California & Hawaii region, here’s what sellers across Sacramento, Placer County, and El Dorado Hills need to know.

More Competition Means Home Condition Matters Again

Housing inventory is rising. According to Realtor.com forecasts, the number of homes for sale is expected to increase again this year. That’s good news for buyers—but it also means buyers have more choices and can afford to be selective.

As trusted Sacramento real estate advisors, we’re seeing buyers focus heavily on:

• Move-in ready condition
• Updated kitchens and bathrooms
• Homes that feel well-maintained and turnkey

That’s why most sellers don’t choose to sell as-is.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 65% of sellers make minor repairs or improvements before listing, while only 35% sell their homes as-is. In competitive Sacramento-area markets like Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Granite Bay, and Elk Grove, those small updates often make a significant difference in final sale price.

What Selling a Home “As-Is” Really Means

Selling as-is means you’re telling buyers upfront that you won’t make repairs before listing—or negotiate fixes after inspections.

While this approach can feel simpler, it often:

• Shrinks your buyer pool
• Leads to fewer showings
• Results in fewer or weaker offers
• Extends time on market
• Lowers your final sales price

As top listing agents offering premium marketing, we know that move-in-ready homes attract stronger buyer demand, especially from relocation buyers and families moving into the Sacramento region.

Selling as-is doesn’t mean your home won’t sell—it just means it may not sell for as much as it could have.

How a Top Sacramento Real Estate Agent Helps You Decide

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right decision depends on your home, your timeline, your budget, and your local market.

That’s where working with a top-ranked, highly reviewed Sacramento real estate group matters.

With 300+ five-star reviews and over 1,000 homes sold since 2020, The MORE Real Estate Group provides full-service support, including pricing strategy, marketing, negotiation, and client experience systems.

If You Sell As-Is:

We position your home around its strengths—location, lot size, neighborhood, and future potential—so buyers focus on opportunity, not just repairs.

If You Make Repairs:

We help you prioritize what actually delivers ROI. Our team advises on:

• Cosmetic updates buyers care about most
• Budget-conscious improvements
• Repairs that prevent renegotiation later

As high-level negotiation specialists in Northern California, we help sellers avoid over-improving while still maximizing value.

Timing Still Works in Your Favor

Spring remains the peak homebuying season across the Sacramento region. That means you still have time to make smart, targeted improvements—without rushing—while positioning your home to hit the market at the right moment.

This is especially important for sellers targeting:

• Move-up buyers in Northern California
• Relocation buyers moving to Sacramento
• Families focused on schools, safety, and amenities

As Sacramento suburb specialists serving Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, and Elk Grove, we tailor your strategy to the buyers most likely to pay a premium for your home.

Bottom Line

Selling your home as-is can still make sense in certain situations. But in today’s more competitive market, it may cost you more than you expect.

You don’t have to make repairs before listing—but you may want to.

If you’re considering selling and want honest guidance from a top Sacramento real estate team, let’s have a quick conversation. We’ll walk you through your options, evaluate your home, and help you choose the path that puts you in the strongest position possible.