Does your home need a little TLC before it goes on the market? Plenty of simple, budget-friendly DIY fixes can help it show better and sell faster. Hit up YouTube and Pinterest for how-tos and inspiration, or start with a few tips from Offerpad’s own renovations crew. Not the handiest? Skip to the end, because there are easier options too.
Start with fresh paint
Repainting is one of the easiest ways to appeal to more buyers. Cover faded or bold colors with soft, warm neutrals for a clean, updated feel, and remember there is more to neutrals than gray and beige. One tip: avoid painting the walls and ceiling the same color, especially in smaller rooms, so the space does not feel boxed in.
Swap dated hardware and fixtures
After you put down the paintbrush, pick up a screwdriver. Cabinet hardware seems like a small detail, but new handles and knobs in the kitchen and bathrooms can refresh the whole look of a room for very little money or effort.
Handle the small repairs
You have probably learned to overlook the minor repairs that never made the to-do list. Buyers will not. Start simple: swap old incandescent bulbs for LEDs and replace dated light fixtures. Then work through the easy safety and wear items, like uneven flooring, loose carpet and railings, torn screens, sticking windows, clogged drains, leaks under sinks, and cracked caulk. Tighten or replace loose hinges so doors and cabinets open smoothly and closet doors stay on track.
Do not forget the curb
You know the saying about judging a book by its cover. A lot of drive-by buyers do exactly that, and if the outside does not appeal to them, they may never come see the inside. Keep the grass trimmed and weeded, tidy the yard, and take down any leftover holiday lights. Prune overgrown bushes and trees so the landscaping adds to the home instead of hiding it. Clean the deck, porch, and outdoor furniture, and draw the eye to your front door with a few potted plants or flowers along the walkway.
When DIY is not your thing
Getting a home market-ready takes real work. Doing it yourself is easier on the budget, but it takes time, and hiring out the jobs you would rather skip adds up fast. In a 2022 Offerpad survey of 2,000 people who had sold a home, more than half (53%) said prepping their home took more time than they expected, and 75% said it cost more than they expected. Nearly half (48%) spent between $2,500 and $7,500 getting ready to sell.* If you are curious how quickly homes are actually moving right now, here is how long it takes to sell, metro by metro.
If that sounds familiar, you have options that take the work off your plate.
Or let Offerpad help
Prefer to skip the projects altogether? You can request a free, no-obligation cash offer from Offerpad and sell as-is, with no repairs, no showings, and no open houses. Pick your own closing date, and when you close, we will even move you locally for free (up to 50 miles).
Want to list on the open market instead? With Powered By Offerpad, you list alongside a local Offerpad partner agent who knows your area at the neighborhood level, with access to available prep and renovate services so your home can show its best. List with us and you may also qualify for a backup cash offer, so you can choose a cash sale at any point while your home is on the market if you would rather not wait.**
Whichever path fits your situation, compare your options and pick the one that works best for you.
*2022 online survey of 2,000 Americans who have sold a home, commissioned by Offerpad and conducted by the market research company OnePoll.
**Terms and conditions apply. Not all sellers and homes will qualify. Speak with an Offerpad representative for details.
