Fix what an inspector will find
Dripping faucets, GFCI outlets, missing smoke detectors and loose handrails are cheap now and expensive to renegotiate later.
Free seller guide
Pre-List Improvement Guide
Which repairs and updates pay you back — and which ones don't.
What's inside
Not every improvement returns its cost. This guide ranks the pre-listing work that Houston-area buyers actually pay for, with realistic budgets for each.
- —The highest-return improvements under $1,000
- —Paint, flooring and lighting: what buyers notice first
- —Curb appeal projects that photograph well
- —Kitchen and bath updates worth doing — and the ones that aren't
- —Repairs to make now so inspections don't reopen negotiations
Neutral, bright and clean wins
Fresh neutral paint, updated light fixtures and a professional deep clean are the three highest-return dollars in almost every price range.
Start at the curb
Mulch, trimmed shrubs, a pressure-washed driveway and a painted front door change the first photo buyers see and the first impression they get.
More guides & resources
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Free 90-Day Home Selling Plan
A week-by-week plan to get your home listed, shown and sold in 90 days.
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Selling a Home During Divorce
A neutral, organized process for the hardest sale you'll ever make.
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The Ultimate Guide for Absentee Property Owners
Sell a Texas property from anywhere in the country — without flying in.