Thinking about Selling Your House in Maryland As-Is? Read This First!
If you’re thinking about selling your house in the Baltimore area this year, you may be torn between two options:
Do you sell it as-is and make it easier on yourself? No repairs. No effort.
Or do you fix it up a bit first — so it shows well and sells for as much as possible?
In 2026, that decision matters more than it used to. Here’s what Baltimore-area sellers need to know.
More Competition Means Your Home’s Condition Matters Again
Over the past year, the number of homes for sale across Maryland — including Baltimore City and the surrounding counties — has been climbing. And this year, a Realtor.com forecast says inventory could rise another 8.9%.
That matters. As buyers have more options, they’re also becoming more selective. In competitive pockets of the Baltimore market, details like condition, updates, and presentation are starting to matter again.
That’s one reason most sellers choose to make some updates before listing.
According to a recent study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 65% of sellers completed minor repairs or improvements before selling, while only 35% sold as-is.
What Selling As-Is Really Means
Selling as-is means you’re letting buyers know upfront that you won’t handle repairs before listing or negotiate fixes after inspection. While that can simplify things on your end, it can also limit your buyer pool — especially in Baltimore neighborhoods where buyers expect homes to be move-in ready.
Homes that show well typically attract more buyers and stronger offers. When a home needs work, fewer buyers are willing to take it on. That often means fewer showings, fewer offers, more time on the market, and a lower final price.
Your home will likely still sell — it just may not sell for as much as it could.
How an Agent Can Help
So what’s the right move? It depends on your specific home and the micro-market you’re in — whether that’s Baltimore City, the county, or nearby suburbs.
That’s where an experienced local agent comes in. A good agent will help you compare both scenarios and estimate what your home could sell for as-is versus after select improvements.
If you sell as-is: Your agent highlights the home’s strongest features — location, lot size, charm, or proximity to key Baltimore amenities — so buyers focus on potential, not just projects.
If you make repairs: Your agent helps you prioritize what’s actually worth doing based on your budget and what Baltimore buyers care about most.
The good news? There’s still time. Spring is typically the busiest homebuying season in Maryland, which means you still have several months to make smart updates without rushing — and still hit the market at the right time.
Bottom Line
Selling as-is can still make sense in certain situations. But in parts of today’s Baltimore market, it may cost you.
You don’t have to make repairs before listing — but you may want to.
If you’d like to walk through your options and decide what makes the most sense for your house, let’s have a quick conversation.