Deferred Maintenance: How It Affects Selling Your Home During Divorce
If you're selling your home during a divorce, chances are you're already navigating a complex emotional and financial process. It's understandable that routine upkeep and repairs might fall to the bottom of the priority list. But deferred maintenance—those little things left undone—can make a surprisingly big impact when it comes time to sell.
In this post, we’ll walk through what deferred maintenance really means, how buyers perceive it, what it can cost you, and how to handle it when time, budget, and cooperation between spouses might be limited.
What Is Deferred Maintenance?
Deferred maintenance refers to repairs or general upkeep that has been postponed. It includes both cosmetic and functional issues—think leaky faucets, peeling paint, worn carpet, an overgrown yard, or even something bigger like a broken HVAC unit.
These problems often build up over time, and while they might seem minor, they can heavily influence how potential buyers perceive your home.
Why It Matters in Divorce Sales
When you're selling a home during divorce, every detail counts. Buyers entering your home are forming a mental list—what looks clean, what needs fixing, what they'll have to spend money on if they buy it.
Deferred maintenance signals one thing to buyers: “This house hasn’t been taken care of.” And that can instantly put your home into the “project property” category, even if the issues are mostly minor.
Emotional + Financial Consequences:
Lower offers: Buyers overestimate the cost of repairs.
Longer time on market: Homes in poor condition take longer to sell.
Bargaining power: Buyers will expect a discount—or credits at closing.
And in divorce situations, every day on the market can feel like a month, especially if one spouse is carrying the financial burden.
How Buyers React to Deferred Maintenance
Let’s say your home has a few sticky doors, mismatched paint touch-ups, and a dated kitchen light fixture. It might seem like no big deal—but to buyers, this raises red flags:
“If they haven’t fixed the obvious stuff, what else might be wrong?”
“I’ll have to spend at least $10,000 making this livable.”
“Let’s keep looking.”
Even if you’re pricing competitively, visible signs of wear create an emotional reaction. That’s why small details matter.
If you're selling your home during a divorce, chances are you're already navigating a complex emotional and financial process. It's understandable that routine upkeep and repairs might fall to the bottom of the priority list. But deferred maintenance—those little things left undone—can make a surprisingly big impact when it comes time to sell.
In this post, we’ll walk through what deferred maintenance really means, how buyers perceive it, what it can cost you, and how to handle it when time, budget, and cooperation between spouses might be limited.
Top 10 Deferred Maintenance Issues That Hurt Sales
Peeling exterior paint or faded stucco
Leaky faucets or stained sinks
Dirty, worn, or stained carpet
Old or yellowed light switches and outlet covers
Overgrown landscaping or weeds in gravel areas
Clogged gutters or debris on the roof
Cracked window seals or foggy glass
Broken door handles or missing cabinet pulls
Squeaky or sticky doors
Burned-out light bulbs or broken fixtures
Cost vs. Benefit: What’s Worth Fixing?
You don't need to completely renovate your home, but smart fixes can drastically improve how buyers respond to your property.
Worth Fixing:
Interior paint in high-traffic areas
Cleaning or replacing carpet
Yard cleanup and fresh gravel or mulch
Basic hardware replacements (handles, knobs)
Light fixture upgrades
Usually Not Worth It (during divorce sales):
Full kitchen remodels
Major landscaping projects
Expensive appliance upgrades (unless broken)
Luxury flooring (unless you're in a luxury market)
Think of it as triage—what quick, affordable updates will give the most bang for your buck?
What If You’re Short on Time or Budget?
Here are some alternate strategies when repairs feel overwhelming:
List the home “as-is” but price it accordingly.
Offer a credit to buyers instead of making repairs.
Stage the home simply to shift focus from flaws.
Focus on cleaning and curb appeal.
Sometimes a professional cleaning, fresh linens, and a decluttered layout can go further than any repair budget.
Inspection Surprises & Escrow Delays
Deferred maintenance often shows up during the buyer’s inspection—and that's when it can get costly. Even minor issues can snowball into:
Price reduction requests
Repair demands
Delayed closings
Back-on-market status if the deal falls through
Pro tip: Consider a pre-listing inspection if you’re unsure what might come up. It’s a great tool during divorce to give both parties clarity and help you plan accordingly.
Dividing Responsibility During Divorce
What happens when you and your ex disagree on repairs? Here are some ways to handle it:
Split the cost and agree to essential fixes only
Use proceeds from closing to pay for repairs (with written agreement)
One spouse pays and gets reimbursed at closing or via equity offset
Agree to sell as-is and accept a slightly lower price
Tip: If there’s a court order or divorce decree in place, follow that. If not, a real estate professional familiar with divorce dynamics can help you mediate.
Arizona-Specific Considerations
In our local market, some deferred maintenance issues are more common—and more impactful:
AC and HVAC: Buyers are highly sensitive to air conditioning in our climate. Servicing the unit or replacing a broken system is often non-negotiable.
Roofing: Flat roofs and tile roofs often require spot repairs. Don’t ignore water stains—they’re red flags.
Exterior Paint: Sun damage can cause serious fading and peeling. Repainting trim or stucco can boost curb appeal.
If you’re selling in Scottsdale, Phoenix, or surrounding areas, a local real estate expert can help you prioritize what’s truly necessary.
Real-Life Example: The Power of Quick Fixes
A divorcing couple in Chandler had a home that hadn’t been touched in years. The carpet was worn, the walls were nicked, and the yard needed attention. They spent just under $3,000 on:
Neutral paint for the main living areas
Replacing two dated light fixtures
Yard cleanup and new gravel
Deep cleaning and carpet shampooing
The result? Three offers in the first weekend, and a final sale price $9,500 over asking. Small, intentional improvements gave buyers confidence—and the couple avoided post-inspection price drops.
What to Do If You’re Not Living in the Home
If the home is vacant—or one spouse moved out—it’s even more important to stay on top of maintenance. Empty homes often:
Collect dust, debris, and dead landscaping
Smell stale, especially in summer months
Feel colder and less inviting to buyers
Consider hiring a cleaning crew, landscaper, or a local agent (like me!) to do a walk-through and coordinate light upkeep.
How I Can Help
As a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert serving the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro area, I specialize in:
Walking your home and identifying which repairs are worth doing
Helping you get quotes or vendor referrals
Mediating between spouses to reduce tension
Positioning your home to appeal to buyers even with a limited budget
You don't need to fix everything. You just need the right strategy.
Final Thoughts: Deferred Maintenance in Divorce Sales
Neglecting small repairs might seem like the easy way out, but it could cost you thousands—or even prevent your home from selling.
Buyers are looking for signs of care. And even small investments of time and money can pay off big.
📞 Call, text, or email me today for a walk-through consultation. I’ll help you figure out what’s truly worth fixing—and what you can leave behind. Together, we’ll get your home ready for market so you can move forward with confidence.