What to Fix (and What to Skip) Before Selling Your Home

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, it’s natural to look around and see every little thing you’ve “always meant to fix.” The crack in the driveway. The scuffed paint on the baseboards. The outlet that doesn’t work.

Here’s the truth: buyers don’t see your house the same way you do.

As homeowners, we live with these small flaws daily, and they can start to feel bigger than they are. But to a buyer walking through your home for the first time, a tiny crack in the sidewalk is just that: a normal sidewalk.

The key to preparing your home for sale isn’t perfection. It’s perspective. And the best way to gain that perspective? Think like a buyer.

What Buyers Will Overlook

When you’ve lived in a home for years, every little flaw starts to feel huge. You might wince every time you notice the faded patch of carpet or the tiny crack in the sidewalk out front. But for buyers walking through your home for the first time, those things usually register as normal, everyday wear and tear.

And keep in mind, many buyers want to add their own personal touch on things. So, letting them pick out a paint color or new backsplash may be just what they are looking for. 

Here is what typically won’t scare buyers off:

• Cosmetic issues like minor scratches on hardwoods, small cracks in tile, or older light fixtures.

• Hairline driveway or walkway cracks that come with normal settling.

• Outdated paint colors (unless they’re extreme). Buyers often plan to repaint anyway. (That being said, a paint job can go a long way to brighten up a space and make it feel fresh.)

• Non-essential electrical quirks like a switch that doesn’t connect to anything.

• Old carpets are typically not worth replacing (there are exceptions), though a deep cleaning might be worth the investment. Not every buyer wants hardwood floors. 

• Older appliances don’t need to be upgraded if they’re still in good working order.

The message buyers really want to receive is: “This home has been maintained and loved.” They’re far more forgiving of small flaws if the home as a whole feels solid, clean, and move-in ready.

What Buyers Won’t Ignore

That said, there are some issues that buyers can’t easily look past, because they signal a safety hazard, a big future expense, or something that could interfere with getting a loan. These types of issues can include:

• Major safety hazards (exposed wiring, missing railings, severe foundation cracks).

• Water damage or leaks that suggest bigger underlying problems.

• Roof or HVAC systems at the end of their life if not priced accordingly.

• Repairs that impact financing. For example, FHA and VA loans require certain safety standards. Something like wood rot, missing flooring, or peeling exterior paint might limit who can buy your home, and fixing them could open the door to more buyers.

How to Prioritize Repairs Like a Buyer

Here’s the balance:

• Focus on fixes that affect safety, financing, or the overall impression of care.

• Let go of the tiny, emotional fixes that only you notice.

Instead of spending thousands on upgrades with little return, channel your time and budget into cleaning, decluttering, and sprucing up curb appeal. Those changes almost always make a bigger impact than obsessing over every small imperfection.

When in doubt, step back and ask yourself: If I were walking into this house for the first time, would this really matter?

Don't waste money you don't have to doing things like replacing your backsplash

Buyers want a home that feels cared for and move-in ready. If you can shift your perspective from seller to buyer, you’ll save money, save stress, and put your home in the best position to sell.