10/07/2026
SIX THINGS TO FIX BEFORE LISTING YOUR HOME FOR SALE. They All Cost Less Than $100!
By Lauren Thomann Published on October 6, 2026
FRONT entrance of a brick house with columns and steps
When you live in a home every day, it’s easy to stop noticing the little things that have started to look dated, worn, or downright dirty. Buyers walk in with fresh eyes, so details you barely register anymore, like yellowed outlet covers or mismatched light bulbs, can make a stronger impression than you might expect. One dirty baseboard probably won’t matter much on its own, but enough small signs of wear can make a home feel off.
At this stage, you likely don’t want to spend a ton of money making updates you won’t be around to enjoy. So, to help you focus your time and money where it counts, we asked a real estate agent which under-$100 fixes are most worth tackling before photos and showings.
IMPROVE Your Curb Appeal
Most of us already know that curb appeal makes the first impression, so when the budget is limited, the front entrance is often the best place to spend it. The tricky part is knowing which inexpensive yet effective updates are worth your time and money.
“A lawn that’s patchy, brown, or full of weeds sends a message to buyers that the house needs work,” says Dell Jeanty, realtor with Dell Residential Group in Northern Virginia. “Buyers want to imagine themselves pulling into a yard that feels fresh and welcoming, not like a project waiting for them.” To improve this area, you only need to budget about $20 to $30 for grass seed or a simple lawn treatment.
Spend the rest of your budget on fresh mulch, trimming shrubs, mowing the lawn, and placing a container of colorful flowers near the entrance. “These inexpensive improvements can make the exterior look cleaner and more inviting, both online and in person.”
UPDATE or Clean Outlet Covers
People who are diligent with their cleaning checklists may not have smudged outlet covers, but age can leave them yellowed, cracked, or paint-splattered, and those flaws are easy to overlook. Jeanty recommends starting by wiping down any covers that have fingerprints (no judgment if it’s been a while!). Then, replace any covers that are cracked, damaged, mismatched, or heavily discolored.
This is also a good time to swap out anything overly personal or themed. “Decorative children’s switch plates may be meaningful to the current family, but neutral replacements will appeal to a wider range of buyers,” he says. “Standard covers are inexpensive and help a home look clean and well-maintained.”
REPLACE Cabinet Hardware
You don’t need to replace the cabinets to make a kitchen or bathroom feel less dated. Swapping old k***s and pulls for something simpler and more unified can freshen the space for relatively little money. You may even trick buyers into thinking those rooms have been recently updated.
“Multipacks are available online, and it may be possible to update an entire room for less than $100,” says Jeanty. “Choose a finish—matte black, brass, or brushed nickel—that coordinates with the other hardware in the home.” He thinks a consistent finish can make those important areas look more current and intentional.
SWITCH to Matching Light Bulbs
Your listing photos can be just as important as an in-person first impression, and a poorly lit room can read as smaller or less inviting in photos and in person. Replacing all the mismatched or burned-out bulbs with consistent, brighter ones is one of the cheapest ways to change how a space feels.
But you first need to decide what color tone to use: “Daylight bulbs can make a home appear lighter, brighter, and larger, while warm bulbs may suit homes designed around softer lighting,” says Jeanty. If you have any money left in your budget after swapping the bulbs, you can also consider replacing an outdated light fixture with a simple, inexpensive alternative. Just don’t remove any fixtures that might have value, like an antique chandelier in an older home.
PAINT Over Old Water Stains
Painting over old water stains is inexpensive, but you should never use it to hide an active problem because it can come back to bite you later. It’s not that you want to trick buyers; you just want to remove the cosmetic evidence of a problem that’s already been fixed.
“A brown ceiling stain, a soft spot in the drywall, or a musty odor makes people wonder if a bigger problem is hiding underneath,” says Jeanty. “Even if you’ve repaired the initial issue, visible stains can suggest neglect and raise concerns.”
Jeanty recommends using a stain-blocking primer first, then doing your best to match the existing paint color as closely as possible. You want the repair to blend in rather than call further attention to itself. Again, don’t attempt this if there is a genuine leak or moisture issue without fixing the underlying problem first.
DEEP Clean and Declutter
This next suggestion may only require a small restock of cleaning supplies, depending on what you already have at home. “Deep cleaning and decluttering cost little or nothing, yet they can have the greatest effect on how a home shows,” says Jeanty. “Removing unnecessary belongings helps rooms feel larger, cleaner, and more inviting.”
Once you have a clean baseline, use the furniture and decor you already have to stage your main living areas. “Remove distracting personal items, excess decorations, and anything that makes a room feel crowded,” Jeanty adds.
And while you’ve done a lot of work up to this point, don’t completely ignore your closets. “An overfilled closet can look smaller and suggest that the home lacks adequate storage.”
