Buyers rarely walk away over one big problem. They walk away, or ask for a large credit, when the report reads like a long list of small ones. A few quick fixes before you list can change the tone completely.

The usual suspects

• Missing GFCI outlets in kitchens, baths and outside

• Dirty HVAC filters and an overdue furnace service

• Clogged gutters and downspouts that dump next to the foundation

• Loose handrails and missing smoke detectors

• Leaky faucets and running toilets

Bigger items

For the roof, water heater or anything structural, get a quote rather than a rushed fix. A written estimate gives you a number to negotiate from instead of a buyer’s guess.