Okay, don’t panic.

If you are one of those homeowners who has been complaining about the difficulty in selling your house, you might be losing your bargaining power. — isn’t completely destroyed by the flood of foreclosures that are expected to hit the market due to the recent $25 billion “robo-signing”Mortgage settlement.

Studies have shown that your property’s value can take a further 4 percent hit if it is within a quarter-mile of a foreclosure. However, most buyers are not interested in homes that aren’t. “move-in-ready,”So if it isn’t, you’ve got a problem.

“Buyers generally look at ‘as-is’ properties that need work, and say ‘I’ll pass,'”Patsy O’Neill is a Sotheby’s Montclair sales associate. “That’s why I tell clients it’s worth making certain strategic fixes if they’re looking for quicker and more profitable sales.”

Which one? “fixes”Are they worth it? Continue reading:

It’s worth it: Fixing safety and maintenance issues. Do you want to buy a house that has faulty electrical wiring? Enough said.

It’s not worth it: Major bathroom renovations. “Whatever you do might not suit the buyer,” says O’Neill, “and meanwhile, you’d have spent as much as tens of thousands of dollars.”So, don’t forget to fix cracked shower doors. Save your fantasies of a spa-like modern-day oasis for your new place.

Removing old carpeting is worth it. It does not matter whether you replace it with new carpets and refinish the wood floor.

It’s not worth it: Major kitchen remodels. Similar “taste”As above.

Worth it: Anything that improves “curb appeal.”Prospective buyers will notice your roof before they even get out of their cars. “It’s a huge turn-off,” says O’Neill, “and makes buyers predisposed to find even more things they don’t like.”If you are looking for a way to make your home more beautiful, roof needs replacingGAF is the largest North American roofing manufacturer. The Value Collection Lifetime Designer Shingles have the luxury look but are very affordable.www.gaf.com

It is not worth it: Anything which screams clutter. The less of “you”The more potential buyers see themselves living happily there, the better.