The Tiny house Blog

The Biggest Curb Appeal Problems—and How to Upgrade Them

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
September 30, 2025
The Biggest Curb Appeal Problems

Selling a St. Louis house fast doesn’t have to mean spending weekends buried in mulch and paint. If you need speed, there’s a local as-is option; if you want a quick glow-up, a few smart fixes can help. Either way, this guide shows you the lowest-lift upgrades—and how to skip them entirely when time is tight. With Doctor Home, you can easily sell my St. Louis house as-is without repairs or delays.

1) Peeling Paint, Faded Door, “Meh” First Impression

A tired entry drags everything down. Power-wash the siding, then spot-prime and paint flaking areas. Give the front door a bold, clean color. Swap scuffed knobs and install fresh house numbers. Fifteen minutes with a doormat and a broom does more than you think.

Fast wins

  • Paint or polish door hardware.

  • Add a sturdy doormat and simple planter.

  • Replace foggy storm door glass.

2) Overgrown Beds & Patchy Lawns

Yard chaos screams “work.” Tame it in an afternoon. Edge the lawn, trim hedges to window height, and carve simple curves into beds. Add dark mulch; it’s makeup for soil. Keep plants low-maintenance: boxwoods, hostas, and native perennials.

Low-cost greenery

  • Three matched planters by the door

  • Fresh mulch (2–3 inches)

  • Solar path lights for a clean evening look

3) Driveways, Walkways & Gutter Grief

Cracked concrete and clogged gutters signal neglect—and potential safety risks. Patch small cracks, clean oil spots with a degreaser, and clear downspouts so water drains away from the foundation. Replace missing shingles or bent splash blocks if you can, since buyers tend to notice water issues first. And if tackling repairs isn’t on your list, you can always turn to Doctor Home to easily sell your St. Louis house as-is, without delays or extra work.

Ten-minute tidy

  • Leaf-blow the walk and porch.

  • Rinse the garage door.

  • Straighten the mailbox and add new numbers.



4) When Fixing Isn’t Fast Enough: The Simple STL As-Is Route

Sometimes, curb appeal is the least of your worries—foreclosure timelines, a sudden job move, an inherited property, or a tenant headache. In those moments, an as-is cash buyer can move at your speed with a clear, three-step process:

  1. Tell your story. Share the property address and a few details—age, condition, timeline, and your goals.

  2. Get a market-based cash offer. A local team reviews public data and photos, then presents a fair cash number—often in minutes (think: around three). No showings. No pressure.

  3. Close on your terms. Pick the date, even this week or next month. No cleaning, repairs, staging, or open houses. No agent commissions. Typical closing costs are covered for you.

The result? A quick, predictable exit so you can move forward—minus the to-do list.

5) Who This Helps Most in St. Louis

If any of these sound familiar, the as-is lane may be the smoother road:

  • Foreclosure or late payments where time matters

  • Divorce, job relocation, or downsizing

  • Inherited or probate homes needing updates you don’t want to tackle

  • Vacant, fire, or water-damaged properties

  • Tough rentals with non-paying or long-term tenants

  • Budget constraints that make repairs unrealistic

Final Word: Curb Appeal or Cash-Out—Your Call

If you have a free Saturday, a paint roller and a few bags of mulch can work small miracles. If life won’t wait—a foreclosure clock ticking, a relocation date looming, or an inherited house stuffed to the rafters—take the simpler path: request a fast, fair, as-is cash offer and choose your closing day. You can easily sell your St. Louis house as-is without repairs or delays.

FAQs: St. Louis As-Is Home Sales

How fast can I close?

Often in days, not months. Pick the date that fits your move, from “as soon as possible” to a few weeks out.

Do I need to make repairs or clean out the house?

No. Sell as-is. Leave unwanted items; the buyer handles the rest.

What about fees or commissions?

There are no agent commissions, and standard closing costs are typically covered for you. The offer is the amount you take home at closing.

How is the cash offer calculated?

Local market data, recent nearby sales, property condition, and your timeline. You’ll see how the number was built so you can decide with confidence.

Can you buy homes with tenants, liens, or code issues?

Usually, yes. Experienced buyers work through tenant stays, payoff statements, and municipal items during closing.

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