(Even the little stuff can scare off buyers—and cost you big)

This one’s easy to overlook, but it can tank a sale faster than you think.

You might walk past that cracked light switch cover or squeaky door hinge every day without a second thought—but buyers notice everything. And here’s the thing: most younger buyers today didn’t grow up fixing things like previous generations did. They don’t have tools in the garage, and many don’t even own a drill.

So when they see a bunch of little fixes around the house, they don’t think:
“Oh, I’ll take care of that.”
They think:
“How much is this all going to cost me?”

Even if it’s just a $5 part and five minutes of work, buyers tend to assume it’s a $200 electrician visit or a $500 handyman bill—and they mentally subtract that from their offer.

Plus, many of today’s buyers are stretching just to cover their down payment and closing costs. They don’t have the cash—or the skills—to take on a list of repairs right after closing. What they want is move-in ready.

And here’s the real danger:

If buyers see small things wrong, they start to wonder about the big stuff.
“If this seller didn’t fix the obvious things… what else didn’t they take care of?”
It plants doubt. And doubt kills offers.

House Karma Tip:

Take care of everything—especially the little stuff. Replace cracked outlet covers. Fix the running toilet. Tighten the loose doorknob. Get the HVAC serviced and save the receipt. These simple fixes can build buyer confidence and help you hold firm on your price.

A well-maintained home tells buyers it’s been loved—and that makes it more valuable.