Conventional wisdom tells prospective homebuyers to overlook mild cosmetic defects when browsing houses for sale, but common knowledge maintains the fact that the buyers don’t listen. While dirty carpets, busted window screens, hideous paint colors, and tragically-outdated appliances are neither time-consuming nor (relatively) expensive to remedy, they have a real way of deterring folks who might otherwise be interested in your home for the right reasons: neighborhood, layout, school zoning, and so on. Humans are visual creatures. Even if the “bones” of a home are sturdy as can be, it’s hard not to get hung up on unsightly appearances. A trusty HVAC system, watertight roof, and up-to-date wiring are all well and good behind the drywall, but a stained concrete driveway is right there in plain sight.

Luckily, as a seller, there are quick cosmetic fixes you can make that will woo buyers and make that all-important great first impression that your home deserves!

  • All the popular home improvement blogs are awash with statement doors. Painting your front door a bright, welcoming color (kelly green! brick red! marigold!) lends instant curb appeal and is the structural equivalent of making your home sit up straight and say “oh, hello there!”
  • Could your kitchen backsplash use some updating? We like beadboard, tin ceiling tiles, or even chalkboard paint for convenience and budget-friendliness… and buyers will like it, too. You’d be surprised how small details can breathe life into an older room!
  • Mold is bad. Molding, however, is good. The addition of crown molding can transform a space from “meh” to magnificent! It’s an easy enough DIY weekend project, and your living areas will look more stately, polished, and loved. 
  • Get a bright idea, and swap out some light fixtures in prominent locations like your foyer, dining room, or staircase landings. Coupons and holiday specials make statement lighting a steal, and can really up your home’s “standout” factor.
  • New cabinets or bathroom vanities may be outside your budget, but uninspiring storage becomes exciting and unique when you dress it up with some eclectic, high-end knobs and pulls. The hardware is not all that costly, and it’s another small detail that really shines.

And while there are certainly other aspects you could invest money in before selling, these little tweaks are the fastest and easiest way to clean up the appearance of your home and woo some future owners.