Free tools

Fix it first, or sell it as it is?

Repairs raise the price but cost money, time, and risk of overruns — and in San Diego, contractor and permit costs are among the highest in the country. This tool compares the net from renovating and listing against selling as-is now, using your numbers.

Results

Enter your numbers and press Calculate. Nothing here is an offer or an appraisal.

How it's calculated

The math, in plain language

Formula

Repair-and-list net = repaired sale price − (repair estimate × (1 + overrun)) − (repair months + selling months) × holding cost − selling costs.
As-is net = as-is price − as-is selling costs − months to close × holding cost.
Return on repair dollars shows how much extra net you'd gain per dollar spent — negative means repairs don't pay back.

Assumptions and limits

Defaults are illustrative. Your repair quote, timeline, and the price a renovated house would fetch are the numbers that matter — get real ones.
The overrun allowance is a judgment call; budget and schedule overruns are common in renovation, especially on older South Bay homes where plumbing, electrical, termite, and unpermitted-work surprises are frequent.
This tool is for general planning only. It is not an offer, an appraisal, or legal, tax, or financial advice. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter.

FAQ

Questions about this tool

Which repairs usually pay back?

Cleaning, decluttering, paint, and small fixes. Big-ticket items — re-piping, roof, panel, foundation, legalizing an addition — mostly make a house financeable rather than raise its price. See our repairs page.

What if I can't afford the repairs up front?

Then the repair path may not be available regardless of the math. Selling as-is or getting a cash offer to compare costs nothing.

Does this account for my time and stress?

No. Managing contractors and city permits for months has a cost that isn't in the numbers; only you can weigh it.

Want to discuss an actual offer?

The calculator uses your guesses. We use real comparable sales and a walkthrough. Enter the address — it's free and there's no obligation.

Keep going