Hey there, it’s Carl from NOLA Buys Houses. Over the last 20+ years, I’ve helped more than 1,200 homeowners here in New Orleans sell their houses fast, often in “as-is” condition. And you know what? Most of them all asked me the same question:
“Should I fix my house before selling, or just sell it as-is?”
It’s a good question. Because repairs cost money, take time, and can add stress to a process that’s already overwhelming. The truth is, if you’re selling as-is, you don’t need to spend thousands on updates that won’t pay you back. In this article, I’ll walk you through what repairs you can skip, and how selling as-is to a local cash buyer (like me) might be your smartest move.
What Does “As-Is” Really Mean?
When you sell your house “as-is,” it simply means you’re selling it in its current condition. No repairs. No upgrades. No promises to fix anything. The buyer (that’s me or someone like me) takes on the responsibility of repairs after closing.
This is great news if your home:
· Needs a lot of work
· Has code enforcement problems
· Has storm damage or old wiring/plumbing
· Is inherited and you don’t want to pour money into it
Selling as-is means you don’t have to stress about fixing every little thing, or really any little thing at all.
The Big Repairs You Can Skip
Here are the most common repairs homeowners think they need to do—but don’t—when selling as-is.
1. Roof Replacement
Roof repairs in New Orleans aren’t cheap. A new roof can cost $10,000–$20,000 (sometimes more if there’s storm damage). But if you’re selling as-is, don’t spend that money. Cash buyers like me will factor the roof into the offer and take care of it after closing. If everything goes well with your roof replacement you will pretty much break even. If you have problems with your roofing contractor, well…see that is the problem that many people run into when they are not in the house renovating business. If you get lucky and find a good contractor and they do a good job renovating your house…for the original price they proposed…then it can be a good situation. It’s when things go bad that it becomes a major headache and nightmare. Like many things in life.
2. Foundation Work
We all know how our soil and weather can shift foundations around here. Foundation repairs are expensive and messy. If your house has cracks or uneven floors, don’t panic—and don’t write a huge check. We know how to handle this, and you don’t need to fix it to sell. You are going to spend a TON of money fixing your foundation if you don’t know the right shoring/leveling contractor. And like I said above, all is well IF it ends well.
3. Major Plumbing or Electrical Overhauls
Updating old plumbing or rewiring an older home can run into the tens of thousands. If you’re selling to a traditional buyer, they’ll want it fixed. But when you sell as-is, skip it. We buy houses with old plumbing, outdated wiring, and even houses without working power. Plenty since Hurricane Katrina
4. Cosmetic Updates
New paint, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances—it’s tempting to think these updates will boost your value. But in reality, most of the time you won’t get that money back. Buyers who want move-in ready homes have very specific tastes. Why spend thousands updating something the new owner might rip out anyway?
5. Flooring Replacements
Whether it’s scratched hardwood, worn carpet, or outdated tile—don’t worry about it. Flooring is a personal choice, and most investors or buyers will replace it to fit their style.
6. Landscaping
Sure, cutting the grass or picking up trash is fine, but don’t sink money into landscaping projects. New owners may have completely different plans for the yard.
7. Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels
This is a big one. These remodels are expensive often $20,000+. Unless you’re planning to live there and enjoy it yourself, don’t do it for the sake of selling. We buy houses with outdated kitchens and bathrooms all the time. Construction costs are higher than they have ever been and again it goes back to the earlier comments. If things go right you probably break even but if they go wrong you are stuck with a headache and a hole in your pocket.
What You Should Do Before Selling As-Is
Now, I’m not saying you should just lock the door and walk away (unless you want to—that’s fine too). Here are a few simple, low-cost things you can do that make a difference without breaking the bank:
· Declutter: Remove personal items, old furniture, or trash if you can. This is not necessary and any legitimate professional home buyer is going to look right past any clutter or trash or whatever.
· Basic Cleaning: A quick sweep or wipe-down can make the house feel more presentable. Again, this is not necessary and any legitimate professional home buyer is going to look right past any clutter or trash or whatever.
· Secure the Property: Make sure doors and windows close properly so the home is safe. Houses that sit idle in New Orleans tend to invite unwanted guests quickly and once they are there they are hard to get out. That being said, if you have that problem we can help and will still buy the house!
· Disclose Honestly: If you know about issues (like a leaky roof), be upfront. Buyers like me appreciate honesty it makes the process smoother.
Why Selling As-Is Can Be Smarter
Here’s the truth: even if you did make expensive repairs, most traditional buyers would still ask for inspections and try to negotiate more repairs or price cuts. It’s a never-ending cycle. And if you do some repairs but not others, well, you run into similar problems.
With NOLA Buys Houses, you skip all of that:
· No repairs
· No fees
· No realtor commissions
· No waiting months for showings and appraisals
· A fair cash offer in 24 hours
· Close in as little as 7 days
Real-Life Example
I once worked with a family in Gentilly who thought they needed to spend $40,000 on repairs before selling. They called me first, and after looking at the property, I told them: “Don’t fix a thing. We’ll buy it as-is.”
They ended up closing in two weeks and walked away with cash without spending a dime on repairs.
That’s the power of selling as-is.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about selling your house in New Orleans, don’t stress about pouring money into big repairs. Roofs, foundations, plumbing, electrical, remodels—you can skip all of it when you sell as-is.
At NOLA Buys Houses, we specialize in buying properties in any condition. Whether it’s a fixer-upper, a storm-damaged home, or an inherited property that needs a lot of work—we’ll make the process quick, fair, and stress-free.
Want to see what your house is worth as-is? Call me at 504-264-1407 or visit nolabuyshouses.com. I’ll give you a fair cash offer and let you skip the costly repairs.