If you are planning to sell your Triangle area home this year, you may be weighing two very different paths.
- Do you list your Raleigh home as-is to keep things simple, skipping repairs and prep work altogether?
- Or do you invest some time and effort into improvements so your home shows better and potentially sells for more?
In 2026, that choice carries more weight than it used to. Here is why it matters.
More Competition Is Making Condition Matter Again
Over the past year, housing inventory has been on the rise. And according to a Realtor.com forecast, the number of homes for sale could increase by another 8.9% this year. That shift is important. When buyers have more options, they become more selective, and details that once felt optional start to matter again.
Because of that, many sellers are choosing to make at least a few updates before listing.
Research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that about two-thirds of sellers, roughly 65%, completed minor repairs or improvements before selling. Only about one-third, 35%, chose to sell their home as-is (the blue and green sections in the chart below).
What Selling As-Is Really Means
Selling a home as-is signals that you are not planning to make repairs before listing and are unlikely to negotiate fixes after the inspection. That approach can certainly make the process easier for you, but it also limits the pool of buyers who may be interested.
Move-in-ready homes tend to attract more attention and stronger offers. On the other hand, homes that clearly need work often appeal to fewer buyers. That can lead to fewer showings, fewer offers, a longer time on the market, and, in many cases, a lower final sales price.
Selling as-is does not mean your Triangle area home will not sell. It just means it may not sell for as much as it could with some strategic updates.
How an Agent Can Help You Decide
So what is the right move? There is no single answer that works for every seller. The best option depends on your specific home, your timeline, and what buyers in the local Triangle area market are looking for.
That is where a knowledgeable local agent becomes essential. A good agent can help you compare scenarios and estimate what your home might sell for if you list it as-is versus making targeted improvements. That insight can make the decision much clearer.
- If you’re selling as-is, your agent can highlight strengths like location, layout, and lot size so buyers focus on potential rather than repairs.
- If you choose to make updates, your agent can guide you toward changes that offer the best return, based on your budget and buyer expectations.
The good news is that there is still time. Spring is typically the busiest homebuying season, which means you likely have a few months to make thoughtful improvements without rushing. That gives you flexibility to prepare your Raleigh home while still listing at a strong time.
No matter which path you choose, your agent’s job is to position your home in a way that attracts the most buyers possible. In today’s more competitive market, that expertise can make a meaningful difference.
Bottom Line
Selling your Triangle area home as-is can still be the right choice in certain situations, but in many markets today, it may come at a cost. You do not have to make repairs before you list, but it is worth carefully considering whether a few updates could help you walk away with more.
If you want help weighing your options and deciding what makes the most sense for your home, contact Linda Craft Team Realtors.