The Cape Girardeau area housing market has been busy. Home values across Cape Girardeau County are up about 4.6% over the past year, with the average home value sitting around $224,000 and houses going under contract in roughly 12 days (Fasterhouse). Translation for anyone thinking about selling: buyers are out there, and the homes that show well are the ones moving.
So where should you actually spend your money before you list? Ace Handyman Services was recently featured on the Today Show breaking down exactly that, and the answer surprised a lot of folks. It is not the giant kitchen gut-job. It is the small, smart stuff that makes the difference
Start With the Garage Door
The single biggest return in the survey was a new garage door, coming in at a 268% return on investment. Put a few thousand dollars in, and you can see two to three times that back in your sale price. It also does wonders for curb appeal, which matters a lot around here where a nice-looking front is half the first impression.
Refreshes, Not Full Remodels
Right behind the garage was a simple front and back door refresh, at a 216% return. And guess what? Instead of ripping out kitchen cabinets or tearing off the deck, the the featured project in the Today Show just sanded, patched, and repainted what was already there. The cost was a few hundred dollars, and the result looked brand new. Same house, brought from dated to fresh, without hauling a dumpster's worth of material to the landfill.
The Cheap Wins That Actually Move Buyers
A few other low-cost, high-impact fixes made the list:
- Basic lawn care and tidy landscaping. A clean, mowed yard sets the tone before a buyer even walks in.
- Refinished or freshly cleaned hardwood floors. They read as "well cared for" without a big remodel budget.
- A genuinely deep clean, with attention to odors. Pet smells and lingering cooking smells are an instant turnoff, and buyers notice within the first minute.
Save Your Money on These
Just as useful is knowing where NOT to spend if you are selling soon. The survey found these tend to cost more than they return:
- Closet remodels
- Brand-new outdoor decks
- Patios
- Fire features
- Sprinkler systems
Buyers usually want to put their own stamp on those, so you rarely get your money back. If you are staying put for years, sure, build the deck you want. If you are listing this season, skip it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What home improvements offer the best return before selling?Small, visible updates often provide the strongest return. Garage door replacement, door refinishing, fresh paint, cleaned or refinished floors, landscaping, and minor repairs can make a home feel well maintained without the cost of a major remodel.
Should I complete a full remodel before listing my home?
Not necessarily. If you plan to sell soon, refreshing what is already there may be more worthwhile than replacing it. Sanding, patching, painting, deep cleaning, and completing overdue repairs can improve the home’s appearance without overinvesting in projects buyers may want to change themselves.
Can Ace Handyman Services help with several pre-sale repairs?
Yes. Ace Handyman Services Southeast Missouri can help with a range of projects, including door refinishing, flooring updates, painting, and smaller repairs that may be holding up your listing preparations.
Where Ace Handyman Southeast Missouri Can Help
Most of these projects are exactly the kind of thing that sits on the to-do list for months because nobody has a free weekend. That is where your locally-owned Ace Handyman Services crew comes in. From door refinishing to flooring to the odd list of little repairs, it is one call and one trusted crew, backed by the Ace Hardware name and a 12-month labor warranty on our work.
Want to see it for yourself? Watch the full Today Show segment here.
Getting your Southeast Missouri home ready to sell should not doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Reach out and let us handle the list. Bringing Helpful To Your Home is what the Ace Handyman Services team does best.