14 DIY Projects To Complete Before Selling A Home

There is a ton of preparation and stress that goes into selling a home. You’ll have meetings with realtors, negotiate, and spend what feels like endless hours cleaning and staging. It might seem strange to perform home improvements when you want to sell, but several DIY projects can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. 

DIY upgrades that can add value to your home include painting the walls, improving the landscaping, and making your home more tech-savvy. Several simple kitchen and bathroom upgrades can help make these rooms look new and modern. Swap out old curtains and lampshades to improve your home’s lighting. Replace old fixtures with new ones, refresh walkways and outdoor seating areas, and regrout the bathroom.

As you prepare to sell your home, do all you can to make it look its best. Even if you won’t be able to enjoy all the home upgrades you complete before listing your home, you will certainly enjoy the extra money it brings when you find a buyer. If you’re preparing to sell your home, read the complete list of DIY projects everyone should complete before listing a home.

14 DIY Projects To Do Prior To Selling Your Home

1. Paint Or Replace Your Front Door

One easy and effective DIY project that can boost your property value and give buyers a great first impression is a new or freshly painted door. An old front door gives a dull and uninviting first impression to all who enter. Painting it vibrant red or adding a fresh coat of paint in any color can go a long way. If you’re comfortable spending a bit more on your front door revamp, you can replace it with one that features intricate details and a fresh style. 

2. Deep Clean And Touch Up The Exterior

Another exterior DIY project that will boost your home’s curb appeal and attract prospective buyers is a deep clean of the building's exterior. In some cases, you can use a pressure washer to remove dirt. You can also clean the roof to bring it back to its original glory. These cosmetic changes give a great first impression, and make prospective buyers want to come inside and see more.

3. Simple Kitchen Upgrades

Many buyers love a nice kitchen and are willing to pay extra for a great one. While a full kitchen remodel can easily cost more than $10,000, several easy fixes can go a long way. If your cabinets are old or tacky, consider giving your cabinets a fresh coat of paint. You can also create a kitchen backsplash with removable adhesive tiles and replace old appliances with new, modern ones. These simple changes can make your kitchen look significantly more expensive.

4. Regrout The Bathroom And Fix Broken Tiles

One way to make your bathroom look clean and new is to regrout and fix any damaged tile. You should regrout your bathroom every 10 years or so. If you haven’t done it recently, do so before listing your home. Before starting, check for any damaged or missing tiles and replace them. New tiles and clean grout in a bathroom can make the space look completely remodeled and free of the mildew stains that are off-putting to homebuyers.

5. Replace Old Light Fixtures And Shades

One easy fix that nearly any homeowner can accomplish is to replace old, dated light fixtures and lampshades with new ones. Light fixtures can significantly impact how your home looks. They can add elegance and style, and also improve how well your room is lit. Even if you plan to take your lamps with you, it’s important to present your home in the best way possible. Great lighting makes rooms look larger and cleaner.

6. Make Your Home A Smart Home

If your home is older, and you never upgraded your thermostat or security features, consider doing so before you leave. Many homes on the market have smart thermostats and home security that you can access from a phone. Smart homes are becoming more desirable because they help owners feel safer, and smart thermostats and lights can save them money on energy bills over time. 

7. Fill Holes And Paint Walls

A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into any home. As you begin removing photos and artwork, patch holes and cracks before painting. Opt for inoffensive colors, like variations of white, or very subtle blue or yellow hues, depending on your aesthetic.  Shades of white are usually most appealing to buyers. Avoid using anything vibrant or glossy, unless you have a distinct design idea in mind that you think can make a room shine.

8. Change Old Curtains And Blinds

Old window coverings can date a home, and make it look less like a worthwhile investment and more like a haunted house. Before you start showing your home, remove old curtains or blinds that block essential views or natural light. Unless you are intentionally trying to hide an unattractive view, use light-colored curtains. This is a great way to add subtle design and allow more natural light into the home.

9. Elevate And Tidy Your Up Your Garden

Not every buyer will be interested in gardening, but every homeowner wants the exterior to look great. Before you start showing your house, ensure the garden and landscaping look their best. Trim hedges, remove dead growth, and add fresh mulch to reduce weed growth. Consider simplifying the garden to make it look tidy and well-kept. Prune plants as needed, and trim tree branches that are close to the roof.

10. Create Or Refresh Outdoor Seating Areas

If your home has a yard, ensure seating areas and all outdoor spaces look their best. Refresh outdoor furniture, spruce up the fire pit, and clean the bird bath. Even if you are taking all your furniture with you, it’s important to create a beautiful, tranquil outdoor setting. It will make it easier for prospective buyers to envision a functional outdoor space of their own.

11. Upgrade Walkways

If your home is lacking in the walkway department, upgrading paths to the home is a good idea. You can create effective, inexpensive gravel pathways, or use stylish slate, brick, or concrete pavers. A new walkway gives a great first impression and improves the safety of your home, since you are less likely to slip on firm ground. The last thing you want is for prospective buyers to have to walk in mud to reach your front door.

12. Replace Old Hardware

Another simple and effective upgrade is to replace old hardware with new ones. Door knobs, cabinet knobs, and light switch covers are just a few items you can change to make your home look newer and cleaner. Plus, doing so usually requires nothing more than a screwdriver, but the results can be profound.

13. New Shower Head And Faucets

A fantastic showerhead or kitchen faucet can be very appealing to some home buyers. Swapping out kitchen and bathroom faucets and bathroom shower heads are usually straightforward projects. These affordable changes can also make an older kitchen or bathroom look more modern and stylish.

14. Deep Clean And Declutter The Entire Home

Before you allow a real estate agent or any potential buyers into your home, clean, pack, and declutter as much as possible. Get rid of all the mess, and consider renting a small storage unit for belongings you don’t need regularly. A storage unit will give you a head start on packing and free up space in the home. A tidy and minimalist home tends to feel calmer, larger, and cleaner. All of these features are attractive to prospective buyers.

Final Notes On DIY Projects To Complete Before Selling A Home

Selling a home and setting an asking price is stressful. Luckily, there are ways to improve your home to make it easier to ask for a little bit more money for the home you love. Some great DIY projects everyone should complete before listing a home include basic kitchen and bathroom upgrades, a refreshed front door, improved pathways, and a deep-cleaned exterior. Replace old hardware, light fixtures, and curtains with new ones, and consider repainting your home’s interior. Refresh outdoor spaces and tidy up the garden and landscaping.

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