Crusty stove burner plates.
FIX: Replacements are cheap and look good for showings; keep the old crusty ones to switch out before cooking!
Worn out or dated cabinet pulls.
FIX: If replacing the cabinet pulls in the kitchen but not in a secondary bathroom, re-use the less-worn old kitchen pulls in the bathroom!
Dingy bathroom floor tile grout.
FIX: Use a scrub brush and Comet—it’ll look as close as it can to new again!
Scratched or worn wood trim and cabinetry.
FIX: Forget the temporary fix of Old English Scratch Cover. Pick up a can of Restore-N-Finish at Home Depot (paint department) and wipe on a permanent fix!
Dog’s nose prints or toddler’s hand prints on the front door glass.
FIX: Keep the door closed!
Dusty silk trees and greenery.
FIX: Take it outside, aim the leaf blower on it and power on. OR, turn it over onto the lawn and drag it back and forth a few times!
Nowhere to quickly stash papers before a showing.
FIX: Empty a kitchen drawer or cabinet shelf for daily items!
Broken clip for cover of wood blinds.
FIX: Re-attach with self-adhesive Velcro.
Ugly cords.
FIX: Find a basket, stash the cords inside, cover with silk greenery.
Wet bath towels hanging everywhere.
FIX: Hang decorative towels, don’t use them, then toss wet towels into the dryer for 20 minutes (if everyone uses a different color towel it’s easier to identify them later)!
In the process of getting rid of things.
FIX: Use your car trunk to store items that will be taken to charity. Take a photo and itemize the write-off later. Better yet, haul the stuff to the curb and let neighbors put it to good use!
Bathroom mirror with worn silver backing.
FIX: Attach wood trim or carefully spray "frosted glass" over the worn area after taping off for a clean line.
Keeping up with clean bathrooms for showings.
FIX: Everyone use one shower, preferably one with a shower curtain (you don’t have to squeegee a shower curtain)! (Also, Kaboom is an excellent soap scum remover.)
Smudges on the wall paint.
FIX: While Mister Clean Magic Eraser can be a miracle-worker, it can also take off the paint. Apply a little Baking Soda with a wet white cloth and gently…gently… rub off the smudge (test, first, on a hidden space). Don’t forget to rinse away the powdery residue!
Cottage-cheese ceiling has an old water stain.
FIX: Pick up a can of Kilz Upshotz, which is the same color as the ceiling spray (be sure to protect the wall paint if the stain is on an edge)!
Broken floor tile.
FIX: If no replacement tile exists, remove one from a place that is typically covered, such as beneath a refrigerator.
Nail holes in the wall.
FIX: Reduce the size of the fix by patching the hole with a dollop of spackling mixed with the wall paint (scoop out the dollop with a toothpick)!
