Skip to main content

5 DIY repairs to do before you sell your home

Now that you’ve decided to sell your house (or something in your life made that decision for you), it’s time to take a good look around. Realtors will tell you buyers are looking for great buys, and homes that are “move-in ready” move faster than fixer-uppers.

You will likely need to fix a few things to make sure you get a good price or even a great price for your home. The good news is, you don’t have to hire expensive contractors to get things in shape. These are some DIY repairs you can do to spruce up your home and get it “move-in-ready.”

Recommended Videos

brick home with concrete drivewayCurb appeal

A key feature of curb appeal is the front door. If the paint or stain looking a little worn and weary, you can paint, re-stain, or even buy a new door altogether. Climate has a lot to do with what kind of paint or stain you need, so be sure to consult with someone at the paint store or someone with know-how at a big box store.

Here are some great tips to get your front yard in tip-top shape:

  • Make sure the house numbers are clear and visible. Sure, you thought it was cute that the “3” was a little tilted, but buyers definitely won’t find it as endearing as you do.
  • Clean out the faded mulch from the front flower beds and put in some new stone or wood mulch. Make sure the mulch or stone is a complimentary color to the main color of the house. 
  • Depending on the season, you plant some flowers for a fresh pop of color. If it’s winter, you can freshen the area with some greenery to add color. 
  • Get rid of the dried-up flowers in the planters on the porch or near the door and replace them with new plants or with seasonal greenery. The same thing holds true for flower boxes under the windows—clear out the dead foliage and brighten things up with greenery.
  • If you have a lawn, be sure to edge along the sidewalk and any pathways.
  • Trim shrubbery away from the foundation and make sure there aren’t any large tree branches hanging over the house or garage.

Kitchen and bathrooms

Potential buyers want nice bathrooms and kitchens. While a major remodel is not recommended right before selling (since you won’t realize the full value of what you put in), those are rooms that rank up there for DIY projects for home value, according to most realtors.

In the kitchen, make sure all of the cabinet doors and drawers open and close smoothly. In the bathroom, make sure all the vanities are in proper order as well. Follow the below list to make sure everything gets checked off your list:

  • If you have cracked or damaged doors and drawers, be sure to fix them. You will either need to replace them, or you can glue and clamp them carefully, so the edges stay together without a lot of glue seepage.
  • If hinges are broken or not working, you’ll need to find new ones. Most hardware stores and big box stores have replacements for standard hinges.
  • If the drawers don’t close properly, take them out and look them over. Most newer cabinet drawers have their closing mechanisms on the bottom. If they are damaged, don’t worry, you can easily replace them with just a few screws. If the drawer guides are damaged, you will need to replace those too.
  • Wash the backsplash in the kitchen with a good de-greaser, following the directions. If it still looks dingy, there are peel ’n stick tiles, tile sheets, and wallpaper that you can use as a quick fix to cover things up.

You may have grout problems in either the kitchen or the bathroom that need to be addressed. A great DIY grout cleaning recipe does just the trick for those tired-looking wall tiles. Take half a cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon of dish soap, and mix them together until they make a paste. Using a toothbrush, squish the paste into the grout. Wait about ten minutes, then wipe it clean. You may need to spot scrub for those stubborn areas.

For floor tile grout, sprinkle baking soda into the grout, spray with hydrogen peroxide until it is wet, and again, wait ten minutes before scrubbing and wiping it clean.

Bathroom issues

The shower and the bathtub are areas where caulk can get dark or moldy despite your best efforts. Caulk is not the same as grout. Tile, if installed properly, should be caulked to the countertops and around the tub or shower. Professional tilers may grout those areas during the initial install, but you need to ensure the grout was removed and replaced with a water-resistant caulk.

If you have dry and crumbling grout by your countertop, vanity, or tub, you need to replace it with caulk. Carefully dig out the grout with the point of a screwdriver or small flat putty knife, brush off the excess, and caulk. 

If your caulk is hopelessly stained or moldy, then, you guessed it, it’s time re-caulk. The good news is, caulking isn’t difficult. All you need to do is apply even pressure and smooth with a damp finger or small sponge. Let it dry completely before you get it wet.

couple painting with dogPaint those walls

Scuffed and dirty walls will need to be repainted. Paint them a nice, soft neutral. Remember, you are painting for buyers, not for yourself so go with a nice, soft neutral to be on the safe side.

The only exception to neutral paint colors is to highlight a certain area. For example, if you have a wall with two spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows or a wall with an awesome fireplace, you can highlight them using an accent color. A patterned wallpaper would bring character to the walls in a small powder room, as long as the rest of the room is neutral. 

Now is not the time for experimentation. Err on the safe side so that you don’t spend time redoing anything your realtor might deem outlandish. Moreover, to prevent the non-smooth final result check our guide on how to fix bubbling paint and prevent it from happening again.

guy fixing window inside homeReplace the windows

Potential home buyers tend to be picky. You can almost guarantee they are going to find any window that doesn’t work properly. If you have any faulty windows, be sure to replace the hardware and screens. The hardware store can help you out with both of these items. Some specific hardware may need to be ordered directly from the manufacturer, so be sure to check your windows early to leave enough time for shipping and repairing.

We get it; this sounds like a lot. But spending time fixing all the little cosmetic issues with these DIY updates will help you get the best possible resale price out of your home, and in the end, it will be totally worth it.

Kathleen Ostrander
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kathleen has worked for United Press International and she's written about everything from style to pets for newspapers…
What colors go with taupe? Striking ways to design your home
Looking for a versatile neutral? Use taupe and pair it with some fantastic complementary hues
Taupe wall paint with taupe chairs and a large plant

With a range of dark and light shades to choose from, taupe is a versatile color fit for sleek wall tones, soothing accents throughout the room, or simple shades on furniture. While some people avoid this neutral tone, worried that it will appear drab or dull in their spaces, knowing how to use taupe in your home design will help you best take advantage of this stunning neutral color. And whether you love this hue or not, knowing what colors go with taupe can aid you in choosing the right tones for your color palette, especially if you need a gorgeous neutral backdrop.

So, if you love taupe or are eager to incorporate it into your design, then we have a few tips for you. Below are some of the best complementary shades for taupe, as well as the most striking ways to style it in your home.
What color is taupe?

Read more
What colors go with brown? How to make this seemingly drab hue look glam in your home
Brown doesn't have to be boring. Here's how it can jazz up your space
Room with brown walls.

Brown tones have a reputation for being "boring" since these earthy hues often have a tendency to feel dull and bleak for many people. However, this is largely due to poor design execution. If used well, brown shades can enhance a room’s design and bring a new sense of vitality to a space. Brown can be a wonderful hue to add to your home if you're looking to create a luxe and vibrant environment. These rustic shades can be natural, rich, and earthy when paired with complementary colors that let this hue shine.

Unfortunately, many struggle to figure out what colors go with brown, which leads them to create spaces that feel drab, bland, or unfinished. Today, we’ll cover some of the best colors to pair with brown and how this stunning color can help revitalize your space.
What color matches well with brown?

Read more
How much does it cost to finish a basement and add value to your home?
A finished basement is an investment in your home. Here are our tips for getting started on this project
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

If you're looking at home improvement projects that will give you a return on your investment when you sell your home, consider remodeling your basement. If you don't have a finished basement, finishing it will not only increase the livable space in your home but give you confidence that your money will come back to you when you sell. The first question you're probably asking yourself is, "How much does it cost to finish a basement?" Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but we break down the possibilities below.

Before you get too far ahead of yourself dreaming about all the ways you're going to decorate your new basement, it's important to think about its functionality. Adding spaces like a bedroom or bathroom in your basement will increase the price of the renovation, as will a basement bar or movie room. But these usable spaces will also increase your resale value. You'll want to know your plan before getting quotes because not only will additional electrical, plumbing, and sheetrock be needed for these spaces, but you'll also want to be sure any contractors you use have the requisite expertise to get the job done.
What is the cost to finish a basement?

Read more