Find out your estimated net proceeds and compare your options before deciding whether to sell as-is or list your home on the market.
Step 1 of 3
The sale price isn’t what you keep. A traditional listing typically costs 8–15% of the sale price once everything is added up:
| Cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Realtor commission | 5–6% of sale price |
| Seller closing costs | 1–3% of sale price |
| Repairs and prep work | Varies — see the table below |
| Staging, cleaning, junk removal | $500–$3,000 |
| Holding costs while you wait | ≈$1,100/month (utilities, insurance, taxes, lawn/snow) |
| Price reductions / buyer concessions | Varies with market and condition |
Typical project cost ranges for the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro, based on public cost guides. Use the calculator above to total the ones that apply to your home.
| Repair or update | Estimated cost range (MN metro) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring repair or replacement * | $3,000–$12,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Interior painting * | $3,500–$9,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Exterior painting * | $3,000–$8,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Window replacement * | $8,000–$20,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Interior door replacement | $1,000–$3,500 | homeadvisor.com |
| Exterior door replacement | $1,500–$5,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Garage door replacement | $1,200–$4,500 | homeadvisor.com |
| Roof replacement * | $9,500–$18,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Plumbing repairs | $1,500–$8,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Electrical repairs | $1,500–$8,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Kitchen updates | $15,000–$45,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Bathroom updates | $8,000–$25,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| HVAC repair or replacement | $5,000–$12,500 | homeadvisor.com |
| Basement repairs | $5,000–$25,000 | angi.com |
| Foundation repairs | $5,000–$15,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Deck or porch repairs | $2,500–$10,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Landscaping | $1,500–$6,000 | homeadvisor.com |
| Lawn care catch-up | $200–$600 | homeadvisor.com |
| Tree removal | $800–$3,500 | homeadvisor.com |
| Deep cleaning | $300–$800 | homeadvisor.com |
| Junk removal | $400–$1,500 | homeadvisor.com |
* Varies significantly by home size.
Repair costs are estimates and may vary based on home size, condition, materials, labor, and local market pricing.
Neither is always better — it’s a trade. Listing with a realtor usually grosses more but costs more and takes longer: repairs first, then commission, closing costs, and months of holding costs while showings happen. A direct cash sale to Homestead Road trades some gross price for zero repairs, zero commission, no showings, and a closing date you pick — often 7–14 days instead of 60–120 days. The honest answer depends on your home’s condition and your timeline, which is exactly what the calculator above compares.
Major renovations rarely pay for themselves at resale — a kitchen remodel typically returns well under its full cost, and every month of work adds holding costs. Renovating can make sense when your home needs only light cosmetic work in a hot market. When the list includes big-ticket items like a roof, HVAC, or foundation, selling as-is frequently nets a similar amount with none of the cost, risk, or delay.
Start with free estimates from Zillow, Redfin, or your county assessor, then adjust for your home’s condition — automated estimates assume a typical, updated home. For a number you can act on, Homestead Road provides a free, personalized evaluation based on recent sales near you and your home’s actual condition.
It depends on the gap between your repair costs and the value those repairs add. If your home needs major work — roof, foundation, kitchen — repairs plus months of holding costs often eat most of the higher sale price. If it only needs light touch-ups, listing may net more. This calculator shows both numbers side by side so you can compare.
Selling a house the traditional way in Minnesota typically costs 8–15% of the sale price once you add realtor commission (5–6%), closing costs (1–3%), repairs and prep, and holding costs while you wait. On a $400,000 home that’s roughly $32,000–$60,000.
Focus on repairs that block a sale — roof leaks, mechanical failures, safety issues — before cosmetic projects. Big renovations like kitchens rarely return their full cost at resale. If the repair list is long, compare the as-is route first: you may keep more by skipping repairs entirely.
No. You can list a home in any condition, but buyers discount heavily for visible work, and financed buyers may not be able to close on homes with major defects. That’s why homes needing work often sell to cash buyers either way — directly, or after sitting on the market.
Total commission in Minnesota typically runs 5–6% of the sale price, split between the listing and buyer’s agents. On a $400,000 sale that’s $20,000–$24,000. Commissions are negotiable, and selling directly to a buyer like Homestead Road means no commission at all.
Holding costs are what you pay every month the home sits unsold: utilities, insurance, property taxes, HOA dues, lawn care or snow removal, and maintenance. In the Twin Cities that’s commonly $1,000–$1,500 per month — a 3-month sale timeline can quietly cost $3,000–$4,500.
Neither is always better. A cash offer trades some gross price for zero repairs, zero commission, zero showings, and a closing date you choose. Listing can gross more but costs more and takes longer. The right answer depends on your home’s condition, your timeline, and how much uncertainty you can carry — run both numbers.
Most homeowners receive an offer within 24–48 hours of reaching out, and closing can happen in as few as 7–14 days — or on a later date you pick. There are no showings, open houses, or repair negotiations in between.
Yes. Homestead Road buys Minnesota homes completely as-is — including homes that need major repairs, inherited houses full of belongings, and properties that wouldn’t pass a financed buyer’s inspection. You don’t need to clean, fix, or empty the house first.
Get a free, no-obligation offer from Homestead Road. We’ll review your home, explain your options, and help you decide whether selling as-is or listing makes the most sense for you.