Most people think a real estate commission goes straight into an agent’s pocket. It doesn’t. By the time a sale closes, that money has passed through multiple hands, covered a long list ...
Your Garage Door Could Be Killing Your Home Sale
Written by:
Date:
21 Apr 2026
Share via Facebook
Share via Linkedin
Share via X
Copy to clipboard
In today’s Minnesota housing market, first impressions drive buyer decisions, and small details can make or break a sale. Brian Durham, managing broker at WeGo Real Estate, regularly sees well-maintained, competitively priced homes linger unsold for weeks — often because sellers overlook basic curb appeal.
Recently, Durham advised a client whose updated home sat on the market with no offers. The problem wasn’t inside, but out front: a peeling, sagging garage door dominated the curb view. She replaced it for $400, and the property went under contract within 10 days.
This scenario is increasingly common as buyers take their time and scrutinize every detail, especially at the curb and in listing photos. Durham has pinpointed the low-cost fixes that actually move homes — and the expensive upgrades that rarely pay off.
Here are seven swaps under $6,000 that can cut weeks off your time on the market.
Paint the Front Door, Not the Whole House
Skip the $5,000 exterior paint job if your siding is in good shape. Instead, spend $45 on high-gloss paint for your front door.
According to Durham, buyers decide whether to see a home within 10 seconds of arriving. A fresh, bold front door signals care and maintenance. Even if the rest of the exterior color is dated, a standout door adds character. Peeling paint, by contrast, reads as neglect.
Cost: $45 to $75
Time: Two hours
Skip if: Your door is glass or metal that won’t hold paint
Stage One Room Well, Not Every Room Poorly
Don’t spread your staging budget thin with generic rented furniture in every room. Focus on the space buyers care about most — usually the kitchen or the primary bedroom — and make it photo-ready.
Buyers scroll quickly through listings, spending only seconds per image. One standout room can stop them in their tracks, while five mediocre photos won’t generate interest. Durham’s listings with a single eye-catching space consistently get more showings.
Cost: $0 to $300 if you use your own furnishings
Time: Three hours to stage one room well
List Thursday Evening, Not Monday Morning
Timing matters. Instead of listing on Monday with the crowd, go live Thursday evening between 5 and 7 p.m.
Most buyers plan weekend tours on Thursday and Friday nights. A Monday listing gets buried quickly, but a fresh Thursday post stays top of mind and creates urgency heading into the weekend. Buyers are more likely to prioritize a new listing for Saturday showings.
Cost: $0
Time: Simple scheduling
Clean the Kitchen Sink, Not the Baseboards
Don’t waste hours scrubbing baseboards. Focus on making the kitchen sink spotless.
Buyers rarely comment on baseboards, but a dirty sink stands out in listing photos and during showings. A $4 bottle of cleaner and 15 minutes of effort can make a bigger impact than hours spent elsewhere.
Cost: $4
Time: 15 minutes
Replace the Garage Door, Not the Windows
Skip the $8,000 window replacement unless they’re truly failing. Instead, if your garage door is dated or damaged, replace it for $400 to $1,200.
Garage doors dominate curb appeal and listing photos. A new door immediately signals good maintenance and can transform the home’s appearance. Clean older windows and update treatments instead of replacing them.
Cost: $400 to $1,200
Time: Four hours for professional installation
Invest in Professional Photos, Not Open Houses
Don’t spend $500 on open house marketing that mostly attracts neighbors. Put $300 into professional photography instead.
Nearly all buyers start their search online, and photos determine whether they schedule a showing. Professional photographers know how to capture light, space, and features that cellphone photos miss. Without compelling images, even a great property can be overlooked.
Cost: $200 to $400
Time: Two hours for a photo shoot
Price Aggressively, Not Aspirationally
Don’t list above market value, hoping for a windfall. Price at or just below market to attract immediate attention.
Homes priced right from the start get multiple showings and often sell at or above the asking price. Overpriced listings tend to sit, eventually needing price cuts that can make buyers wary. Durham stresses the need for honest, data-driven pricing from day one.
Cost: $0
Time: Requires a frank market analysis with your agent
The Biggest Waste
Durham warns that Minnesota sellers often lose money on major kitchen remodels before listing. A $40,000 renovation might only add $15,000 to $25,000 in value, leaving sellers out of pocket. Instead, deep-clean, update the hardware, and add fresh paint for under $1,000. Reserve major projects for your next home.
The Takeaway
Many Minnesota sellers lose time and money on the wrong upgrades while overlooking simple fixes that buyers notice most. The repairs and improvements that work are affordable, quick, and focused on curb appeal, strong listing photos, and move-in readiness. Select three from this list, complete them over a weekend, and list promptly. You’ll likely sell faster than those still debating expensive updates. As Durham puts it, “You have to put that game plan together. It’s not just signing a contract and throwing it on the market anymore.”
About the Expert: Brian Durham is the managing broker and team owner at WeGo Real Estate, brokered by LPT Realty in Minnesota. He specializes in investor clients, land acquisition, and residential sales, has managed over 850 agents across four states, and serves on the Board of Directors for his local MLS and state realtor association.
Similar Articles
Explore similar articles from Our Team of Experts.
