Does Your Home Look Too Dated to Sell - Sell Your Home in Aspen CO

What are the features that make your house look outdated? This guide explains (and tells you what to do about them).


When you get ready to sell your home in Aspen, your REALTOR® will walk through and talk to you about things you can do to make it more appealing to prospective buyers – and some of those things may include updates. If your home looks very dated, your agent will suggest a few improvements. In the meantime, check out these three features that may make your house look old (and what you can do about them).

Does Your Home Look Too Dated to Sell?

There are a few key features that your REALTOR may discuss with you – particularly:

  • Carpet
  • Light-toned wood kitchen cabinets
  • Gold fixtures

Here’s a closer look at each.

Dated Home Feature #1: Carpet

If your home is filled with carpet, your agent may talk to you about making a few updates. For many people, the most sensible thing to do is rip up all the carpet and replace it with hardwood or tile. However, that may not be in your budget; if it’s not, your real estate agent may suggest that you focus on the most important rooms (such as the living room and dining room). You might also be able to offer prospective buyers of credit for new flooring of their choosing.

Dated Home Feature #2: Light-Toned Wood Kitchen Cabinets

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, light toned wood kitchen cabinets were all the rage. However, today’s buyers like sleek, fresh and easy to clean looks in the kitchen. You may not need to replace all your cabinets just to sell your home, though. You may be able to refinish your cabinets and drawers (and it may even be a DIY job) to modernize your kitchen. You should talk to your REALTOR about what’s right in your situation.

Dated Home Feature #3: Gold Fixtures

The ornate gold fixtures of the late 1990s can really date your home. Though they look great in vintage- inspired rooms, they’re not right for standard spaces. They can make buyers feel like your house is old. You may want to consider updating your faucets, cabinet handles and drawer pulls with more modern options. You can typically find a great selection at your favorite home improvement store. Usually, simple jobs like replacing faucets, cabinet handles and drawer pulls are DIY jobs you can accomplish in a weekend afternoon.

Should You Ask Your REALTOR Before Making Improvements?

You should absolutely talk to your real estate agent before you make any improvements – especially those that will cost you a significant amount of money. The last thing you want to do is make improvements that will cut into your profits when you sell the home. Your agent will be able to let you know whether buyers will most likely be willing to buy your home the way it looks right now; if that’s the case, you don’t need to make any improvements. You can leave them to the buyer.

Are You Selling or Buying a Home in Aspen?

If you’re ready to sell your home in Aspen, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale or Snowmass, we may be able to help you.
Get in touch with us right now to find out how much your home is worth – and discover how we’ll be able to help you sell it quickly and for top dollar.
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