What to Fix Before Listing Your Florida Home for Sale

Selling a home in Florida is a different game than selling in other states. Buyers here know exactly what to look for: moisture damage, aging caulk, worn-out screens, and deferred outdoor maintenance. If your home shows signs of neglect, offers drop fast — or never come at all.

The good news? Most pre-listing fixes are small, affordable, and can be completed by a skilled handyman in a day or two. Here is a room-by-room guide to what you should fix before putting your Florida home on the market.

Exterior Fixes That Boost Curb Appeal

Pressure Wash Everything

Florida’s humidity breeds mold, mildew, and algae on driveways, sidewalks, siding, and fences faster than anywhere else in the country. A thorough pressure washing can make a ten-year-old home look almost new. Focus on the driveway, walkways, lanai or patio, and any painted exterior surfaces. Buyers in the Tampa Bay area will notice a green-tinged driveway before they even walk through the front door.

Repair or Replace Damaged Screens

Torn or sagging screen enclosures are one of the biggest red flags for Florida buyers. They signal deferred maintenance and invite mosquitoes — two things no one wants. If your pool cage or lanai screen has holes, replace the damaged panels. For larger issues, check out our guide to screen enclosure repair in Florida.

Touch Up Exterior Caulking

Cracked or missing caulk around windows, doors, and trim is more than cosmetic in Florida — it is an open invitation for water intrusion and pest entry. Replacing failed caulking is one of the cheapest fixes with one of the highest returns. A tube of quality exterior caulk costs a few dollars. Ignoring it can cost thousands in water damage repairs down the road.

Interior Repairs That Matter Most

Patch Drywall and Touch Up Paint

Nail holes, scuff marks, and small drywall dings are easy to overlook when you live in a home every day. Buyers see every one of them. Patch any holes, sand smooth, and touch up with matching paint. In Florida specifically, look for any humidity damage on interior walls — bubbling paint, soft spots, or discoloration near windows. These signal moisture problems that can kill a deal during inspection.

Fix Sticky Doors and Cabinets

Humidity causes wood to swell in Florida homes, leading to doors that stick, cabinets that will not close properly, and drawers that jam. These are simple fixes — often just a matter of planing a door edge or adjusting hinges — but they make a big impression during showings. Kitchen cabinet repairs in particular catch buyers’ eyes since the kitchen is the most scrutinized room in any home.

Address Bathroom Issues

Leaky faucets, running toilets, cracked grout, and peeling caulk around tubs and showers all suggest water damage waiting to happen. Florida home inspectors pay extra attention to bathrooms because moisture problems escalate quickly in our climate. Simple bathroom updates like re-caulking the shower surround, replacing outdated fixtures, and fixing that constantly running toilet can prevent inspection surprises.

Mechanical Systems and Safety

Schedule an AC Tune-Up

No Florida buyer wants to inherit AC problems. Having your system professionally serviced before listing shows buyers you have taken care of the home. An AC maintenance visit includes checking the system’s performance, replacing filters, cleaning coils, and verifying the thermostat is calibrated correctly. Keep the service receipt to show prospective buyers — it builds confidence that the system is in good working order.

Test Smoke Detectors and Replace Batteries

This takes five minutes and eliminates one more item from inspection reports. Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and make sure they are properly mounted.

Check Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

Wobbly ceiling fans, flickering lights, and non-functional switches all need attention. These are simple fixes for a handyman and prevent buyers from wondering what else has been neglected. Read our ceiling fan installation guide if any fans need replacement.

The Pre-Listing Punch List Strategy

The most cost-effective approach is to walk through your home with a critical eye — or better yet, hire a handyman to do a pre-listing walkthrough. At Best Bay Services, we regularly help Hillsborough County homeowners create a punch list of items and knock them out efficiently in one or two visits. Common punch list items include:

• Patching and painting walls throughout the home
• Re-caulking windows, doors, showers, and tubs
• Fixing leaky faucets and running toilets
• Replacing broken or missing outlet covers
• Adjusting sticky doors, drawers, and cabinets
• Tightening loose handrails and cabinet hardware
• Replacing burned-out bulbs and cleaning light fixtures
• Touching up exterior paint and trim

Tackling these items before your first showing — rather than after a home inspection report — puts you in a much stronger negotiating position. Buyers and their agents notice when a home has been well maintained, and it translates directly into higher offers and faster closings.

What Not to Fix Before Selling

Not every project makes financial sense before a sale. Skip major renovations like full kitchen remodels or bathroom overhauls — you rarely recoup the investment. Similarly, cosmetic upgrades driven by personal taste (accent walls, trendy backsplashes) may not appeal to your buyer. Focus on repairs, not upgrades. Fix what is broken or worn, and leave the decorating decisions to the new owner.

For a broader look at which projects make sense to DIY versus hiring out, read our guide on DIY improvements vs. calling a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I spend on pre-listing repairs?

Most real estate agents recommend budgeting 1-2% of your home’s listing price for pre-sale repairs. For a $350,000 Tampa Bay area home, that is roughly $3,500 to $7,000 — enough to cover a comprehensive punch list of handyman repairs, pressure washing, and an AC tune-up.

Should I fix everything on the home inspection report before listing?

Getting a pre-listing inspection is smart, but you do not need to fix everything. Focus on safety issues, water-related problems, and items that will scare off buyers during their own inspection. Minor cosmetic issues can often be addressed with a credit at closing.

How long does a pre-listing handyman visit take?

A typical punch list of 10 to 15 small repairs takes a full day. More extensive projects — like patching multiple drywall areas, re-caulking an entire home, and addressing outdoor repairs — may take two days. We recommend scheduling at least two weeks before your listing goes live.

What repairs give the best return when selling in Florida?

Pressure washing, fresh caulking, screen repairs, and interior paint touch-ups consistently deliver the best ROI for Florida sellers. These are affordable fixes that dramatically improve both curb appeal and buyer confidence during showings.