Dear Monty: We recently read an article urging homeowners to update their homes before putting them on the market. According to the writer, the rationale for doing so is that homebuyers are attracted to up-to-date homes. The writer states that these homes bring more buyers, so the competition between buyers is likely to get a seller more cash. The article came across as, “You’d be crazy not to update.” We are on the fence about whether to fix up first or let the buyer decide. Does your experience support the article’s contention that updating is a necessity? Monty’s Answer: The notion that an updated home automatically translates to more cash in the seller’s pocket is near impossible to quantify. There are so many other reasons that a buyer may choose a particular home. Companies that have something to gain from an update will likely endorse updating as a given. There …