10 Easy Fixes That Help Homes Sell Faster and for More, According to Real Estate Pros

Selling your can be a taxing time, so undertaking a large-scale renovation just to increase the value of the property is rarely a good idea. But instead of tackling a huge project, focusing on all the little things that you can do to improve the appearance and value of the home can be worthwile.

We asked real estate pros and design contractors about the best ways a homeowner can prepare the house to sell faster and for more money. Here are the 10 quick fixes they suggested for an easier and faster sale.

Trim Overgrown Trees and Shrubs

The first thing prospective homebuyers will see when they pull up to your house is the exterior, so before worrying about the interior, it’s important to focus on the curb appeal.

“Trim overgrown trees and shrubs, or even remove them,” says Trent Brown, Founder and Principal Designer of Ground Break Design. “Gardens are meant to highlight the home, not overpower it.”

Keeping up with regular trimming will make this task far less daunting, but if you have neglected it for a while, plan to spend at least a few hours making the landscaping presentable.

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Updating the Front Door

Improving the way homebuyers think about the property begins from the first moment they walk up to the house.

Brown suggests “drawing the eye to the front door. This is a simple one, but try to keep the path to the front door visible from the street or driveway, and then draw the eye up to it with a fresh coat of paint or two beautiful pots filled with blooming flowers.”

Weed and Mulch the Gardens

The last thing you want is for potential homebuyers to imagine all the work it will take to live in your house, so keeping the gardens weeded and adding some fresh mulch can be a great way to make the properly look visually appealing and low maintenance.

“Buyers are painting a picture in their heads of how well your home has been maintained over the years,” Brown says. “If they walk up and see overgrown weeds, it doesn’t set the tone you want.”

Painting

Paint is one of the most common ideas sellers turn to when they are looking to put the home on the market, but you don’t need to paint everything to create the response you are looking for.

“Fresh paint in high-traffic areas or on trim is one of the easiest, highest-impact updates you can make before listing,” explains Christine Sommer, Real Estate Investor and Co-Founder of Liberties Homes.

If there are any rooms or areas of the home with significantly damaged, faded, or peeling paint, then it’s essential to repaint these areas to avoid turning off potential buyers.

Replacing Outdated Light Fixtures

The lighting for your home can make a significant difference in how the house is perceived, both inside and outside the home.

“Swapping outdated light fixtures for simple, modern ones gives the entire home an instant update,” Sommer says.

If the exterior of the home isn’t well lit, consider replacing exterior light fixtures, keeping in mind that not every homebuyer visits in the middle of the day.

Any rooms with a lack of natural lighting should be prioritized when updating the light fixtures to give them a more appealing appearance.

Get Rid of Distinct Odors

Your home, like any home, has a distinct scent that is made up of the unique blend of detergents, meals, kids, pets, cleaning products, and many other factors. You may not pay much attention to the scent, since you live in it every day, but this distinct odor can turn prospective homebuyers away.

To avoid this issue, air out your home and try neutral-smelling air fresheners with the goal of neutralizing the smells, rather than covering them up with strong-smelling sprays.

Updating Cabinet Hardware and Door Handles

Small changes can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home.

“Replacing cabinet hardware is a small project with a big visual return, kitchens and baths instantly feel more current,” Sommer says.

You can also update the appearance of your front door and the doors throughout the home by replacing old, worn door handles with new door handles that match the current home aesthetic.

Replacing Old Outlet and Switch Covers

Faded, cracked, or damaged outlet and switch covers stand out to prospective homebuyers and can make the house feel like it isn’t well-maintained or that it may be hiding unseen problems.

“New outlet and switch plate covers are an affordable way to clean up worn-looking rooms in minutes,” Sommer says.

Just make sure that if you are replacing the covers in one room that they match the covers throughout the rest of the home or at least the other covers on the same floor.

Refreshing Bathroom Caulk and Grout Lines

Updating the bathroom caulk and adding a fresh coat of grout colorant are excellent ways to quickly and easily enhance the appearance of the home before selling it.

Re-caulking tubs and showers will make the bathrooms look cleaner and newer without the cost and time involved with a full renovations. Using a grout pen equipped with a felt tip and internal grout reservoir makes it easy for DIYers to touch-up tiled spaces.

Declutter and Deep Clean the House

Getting rid of clutter and cleaning the home as frequently as possible is essential for quickly selling the house. This means clearing off the fridge, keeping the countertops clear, cleaning the windows and mirrors, scrubbing the walls and trim, wiping down the appliances and countertops, vacuuming, and mopping the floors.

“A clean, clutter-free home always shows better, it’s even worth hiring a professional cleaning service before photos or showings,” Sommer says.