6 Things Real Estate Experts Say Are Making Your Home Look Neglected (and How to Fix Them Fast)

A home doesn’t have to be abandoned to appear neglected. Even a well-maintained space can look rundown if a few key areas are overlooked. To keep your home looking cared for and up to date, it’s important to identify the problem spots that stand out to guests, neighbors, or potential buyers. Expert contractors and realtors share the most common issues that make a home look neglected—and how to fix them.

Dilapidated, Damaged, or Dirty Siding

The exterior of the home is the first thing that people see when they visit, which is why it is so important to keep up to date with your exterior home maintenance.

“As an agent, one of the most important things I look at is ‘curb appeal’,” says Maureen McDermut, Realtor at Sotheby’s International Realty. “Overgrown lawns, siding that is either dirty or dilapidated, or I have even seen gutters with weeds growing in them, all can make a house look neglected and also sets a bad first impression.”

If the siding is dilapidated or damaged, then you should consider having it replaced, but if the siding is in relatively good condition other than being dirty, then you can wash it with a sponge, soap, and garden hose to renew the appearance of your home.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

Missing or Curling Roof Shingles

Similar to damaged siding, the roof will also stand out if it is in disrepair.

“A home that looks ‘neglected’ typically has some issues both indoors and outdoors,” McDermut says. “An exterior issue I’ve seen over the years are missing or curling shingles on asphalt roofs.”

Inspect the roof at least once a year and make any necessary repairs when these issues occur. Replacing a single missing shingle takes almost no time at all, but if you let the problem get worse, you may end up replacing the entire roof and fixing water damage.

Sagging Cabinetry and Drawer Fronts

Whether it is due to neglect or a failed attempt at cabinet refacing, Thomas Borcherding, Residential Remodeling Contractor and Owner of Homestar Design Remodel, says kitchen cabinetry can be a big sign of neglect.

“Kitchen cabinetry with sagging doors or drawer fronts is a personal pet-peeve of mine,” he says. “It typically results from heavy use that wears out the hinges or other mounting hardware.”

Replacing the hinges, screws, and other mounting hardware will help tighten up the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, while improving the functionality of your cabinetry and drawers.

Shabby Drywall or Patch Jobs

In most cases, if your drywall gets damaged, fill any small holes and patch larger holes. Or consider hiring a drywall professional if the job is too big, to avoid making your home look worse with a shoddy DIY.

“Drywall or plaster that isn’t cared for, whether it be in the form of holes or poor patch jobs, conveys a sense of neglect,” Borcherding says.

If you’re just filling in some nail holes or screw holes, this is a simple job that can be handled by even the most inexperienced DIYers with a bit of wood filler. Make sure to follow the patching with a coat of paint.

Frayed, Matted, or Worn Out Flooring

One of the most obvious signs of neglect is the state of your flooring. It is also one of the hardest signs to cover up, since floors naturally extend throughout the entire home.

“Frayed or matted and worn out carpet in living rooms and bedrooms are also things that can make a house look like it hasn’t been cared for,” McDermut says.

Borcherding agrees.

“Flooring that has reached the end of its lifecycle, such as heavily trafficked wooden floors, make a home feel decrepit,” he says.

If you have old, worn carpet, scratched and damaged hardwood, or peeling tiles, you’ll want to consider having them replaced. You can cut down on costs by tackling this job yourself if you have the right tools and skills, but flooring isn’t a beginner DIY.

Scuffed, Dented, and Damaged Baseboards

Baseboards can also become a focal point if they are in poor condition.

“Scuffed, dinged, and dented baseboards occur commonly and make a home feel neglected and worn down,” Borcherding says.

In some cases, you may need to replace the baseboards entirely. But in many situations, you can fix scuffed and even dinged baseboards by simply cleaning away dirt and grime, filling any dings or dents, then repainting.