Sellers don’t necessarily have to patch holes or fix every other small cosmetic issue before listing, but that doesn’t always mean ignoring everything is the smart move. Most buyers expect some wear and tear. What they react to, often without realizing it, is how those little details shape their gut read of the home during a showing.

Below are five of the most common “should I fix this?” questions we hear from sellers, with practical guidance based on real buyer behavior.

1. Do I Really Need to Patch Drywall Holes?

You don’t have to patch drywall holes before selling, but it’s usually worth doing because they can make the home feel unfinished. And that is something that can distract buyers almost immediately.

Think about old TV mounts, picture hooks, or a shelf that came down years ago. One or two holes don’t ruin a room, but they also don’t give off the best impression of your home. They’re eye-level, easy to spot, and they linger in photos longer than you’d expect. Even though the fix is simple, buyers may mentally file it under unfinished.

When all it takes is a quick patch and touch-up paint to reset the wall and keep attention where you want it, it’s worth doing.

2. Should I Touch Up Scuffed Walls?

Localized touch-ups to scuffed walls aren’t a bad idea. But full repaints are rarely necessary unless the price point demands it.

Scuffs show up more than sellers realize, especially when they’re in hallways, stairwells, and around light switches. They’re subtle in daily life, sure, but during walkthroughs and listing photos, they stand out, especially if they’re not present in similar homes. It’s not like buyers are consciously tallying them, but they can register the home as looking “tired.”

Touching up the obvious spots keeps walls from feeling neglected. Repainting the entire house, on the other hand, often doesn’t pay off unless the walls are dark, heavily marked, or mismatched room to room.

3. Do Buyers Care About Loose Knobs or Hinges?

Loose knobs and hinges are again not required fixes. That said, buyers may judge these details more harshly than visually dated ones.

A buyer can forgive an older cabinet style, as they expect that many homes aren’t necessarily going to be decorated to their exact taste. What they can struggle with, though, is opening a door that rattles or a handle that wiggles in their hand. That moment sticks, as it can make people wonder how well the rest of the house has been maintained.

Just picture a buyer opening every closet and cabinet during a showing. If a ton of them feel loose, the home starts to feel almost unreliable, even if everything else looks fine. 

It’s a good thing that simply tightening a few screws is one of the fastest ways to avoid that reaction.

4. Should I Fix Minor Caulking or Trim Gaps?

Whether you should fix caulking or trim gaps is largely situational. It’s usually worth doing in wet or high-visibility areas, but you can likely get away with skipping it in hidden corners.

In kitchens and bathrooms, cracked caulk or visible gaps around sinks and tubs raise bigger concerns, as buyers aren’t thinking about the caulk itself — they’re wondering about moisture, leaks, or long-term damage. And spotting a little fresh caulk in those spots can reassure them.

But a small gap behind a guest-room baseboard or in a low-traffic corner? They don’t carry the same weight. Your best bet is to focus on the places buyers naturally scrutinize.

Do I Need to Swap Bulbs or Fixtures?

Typically, bulbs are worth swapping for visibility, while fixtures only matter when they’re actively distracting.

Burnt-out bulbs make rooms feel smaller and dimmer (which is the exact opposite of what you want), and they’re really just an unnecessary distraction during showings. Consistent, working bulbs throughout the house, on the other hand, help spaces photograph better and feel more open.

That said, fixtures are different. An older light is usually fine unless it’s broken, flickering, or so outdated that it pulls attention away from the room. 

If buyers comment on it, it’s probably worth changing. If they don’t notice it, neither should you.

Sometimes, You Should Sweat the Small Stuff

Sellers don’t need to fix everything to sell well. But targeted, low-effort fixes reduce distractions, prevent buyers from mentally overestimating repair needs, and cut down on those annoying “small credit” requests during negotiations.

This is exactly where we come in. At Hawkins Real Estate Group, we help sellers decide what’s actually worth doing based on pricing, buyer expectations, and listing strategy. 

So, if you’re getting ready to sell and want an agent who provides clear, honest guidance on prep that actually matters, reach out to us. We’re happy to walk through the house with you and build a plan that makes sense.