What Omaha Sellers Should Fix Before Listing (and What’s a Waste of Money)

by Chris Jamison

When you're prepping to sell your home, it’s easy to overthink it. What should you fix? What’s worth the money? And what’s actually going to help your home sell faster and for more?

Here in Omaha, I’ve helped dozens of sellers figure out exactly that. Here’s what I recommend based on what consistently gets homes sold quickly—and for top dollar.

Highest ROI Upgrades for Omaha Sellers

If you only do a few things before listing, focus on:

Fresh carpet – Replacing worn, stained, or outdated carpet makes a big impact.
Neutral paint – Covering loud colors or scuffed walls with light neutrals makes your home feel move-in ready.
Updated hardware & fixtures – Swapping out cabinet pulls, doorknobs, and light fixtures can modernize your home for minimal cost.
Simple landscaping – Clean up garden beds, add fresh mulch, and trim overgrown bushes.

If you’re truly on a budget, the best place to focus is your front door and stoop. A fresh coat of paint, clean entry, and a functioning door lock shape the buyer’s first impression before they even step inside.

The ROI Myth of Kitchens and Bathrooms

Many sellers assume they need to gut their kitchen or remodel the bathroom before listing. The truth?

Full kitchen remodels often cost $20,000–$40,000
Bathroom overhauls can run $5,000–$20,000

You’re unlikely to get all of that money back at closing.

Instead, if those spaces are outdated but functional, consider:

Swapping out old countertops
Refinishing cabinets
Updating light fixtures or faucets
Replacing one or two key appliances

If there’s deferred maintenance—leaks, moldy grout, broken fans—it’s worth addressing. But full remodels aren’t necessary for most Omaha sellers.

How to Prioritize Based on Budget

If you have $500

Paint the front door
Overseed and fertilize the lawn
Replace cabinet pulls
Swap out dated light fixtures

If you have $5,000

Replace tired carpet
Repaint bold or worn walls
Do all items from the $500 list

If you have $20,000

Everything above, plus:
Upgrade countertops
Refinish or repaint cabinets
Add new appliances
Modernize kitchen and bath faucets or sinks

Not sure what your home actually needs? I offer a free walk-through where I’ll give you honest feedback—what’s worth fixing, what isn’t, and what buyers in your area are really looking for.

Request your free home evaluation here