09/17/2026
10 Things I’d Never Do to My Home After Working in Real Estate
After years of walking homes, helping clients, and seeing what actually hurts value, here’s my personal “absolutely not” list (from a realtor’s perspective) for homeowners who want to keep their home sellable someday.
🌟 Skip receipts for upgrades. If it’s not documented, it might as well not exist. Buyers (and appraisers) love a paper trail.
🌟 Let tree limbs hang over the roof. It’s all fun and nature vibes…until the leaks, squirrels, and roof damage show up.
🌟 Go bold in all the wrong places. Trendy wallpaper and bright cabinets can be fun, but timeless finishes tend to appeal to more buyers.
🌟 Run the dryer unattended. Dryer lint buildup and no one home = a house fire waiting to happen.
🌟 DIY electrical work without a permit. I know YouTube says you can…but it’s a hard no for your safety, resale, and liability.
🌟 Ignore a slow drip. It’s cute until it turns into drywall damage and mold.
🌟 Paint over water stains without fixing the source. That cover-up won’t fool a home inspector…or a buyer.
🌟 Let the exterior go. Curb appeal isn’t just about looks - buyers form opinions in seconds.
🌟 Skip your HVAC tune-up. One quick visit can save you thousands!
🌟 Over-personalize permanent fixtures. You might love that hot pink tile, but will buyers?
🌟 Install carpet over hardwood. Please, no. Just… no.
🌟 Skip regular roof checks. Out of sight = out of mind…until it leaks. A small repair now beats a full replacement later.
🌟 Let water pool near the foundation. Bad drainage & clogged gutters can cause foundation damage and crawl space nightmares.
🌟 Forget to change your air filters. Dirty filters = bad air quality and overworked systems.
Want more homeowner do’s and don’ts, let’s chat! Send me a DM.
www.JanellSellsHouses.com
UnionKY