Is Bad Lighting Hurting Your Home Sale?

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Learn how proper lighting boosts your home’s appeal, attracts buyers, and ensures professional photos make your listing stand out.

If you’re selling your house, I need to share one thing you absolutely cannot ignore: lighting. Trust me, I’ve seen too many houses sit on the market because of this simple, fixable issue. Here’s how to avoid lighting problems: 

The big problem with bad lighting. Bad lighting can make your house look dull, mismatched, or outdated in photos. And you know what happens next? Buyers scroll past your listing without a second thought. Even worse, burned-out or mismatched bulbs can leave a bad first impression during showings. Buyers start wondering what else hasn’t been maintained.

I’ve walked into homes where the fixtures had two different types of bulbs—or half of them didn’t work at all. Just last week, I replaced 59 light bulbs in one house! That’s not an exaggeration. Here’s the truth: buyers notice and it costs you time and money.

Here’s how to fix it fast. Start with consistency. Replace all the light bulbs in your home with soft white LED bulbs. They create a warm, welcoming glow and look amazing in photos. Avoid daylight bulbs—they can make rooms feel harsh and don’t photograph well.

“Small changes, like fixing the lighting, make a big difference.”

Walk through your entire house and check every fixture. Bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms—don’t leave anything out. If a fixture has a burned-out bulb, replace it. If it has mismatched bulbs, fix it.

In some cases, you might have to take it a step further. For example, if a light fixture feels out of place or hangs too low (hello, head-knockers!), replace it with a simple flush-mount fixture. These are affordable and easy to install yourself.

The lighting in your home plays a huge role in how buyers feel when they walk through. Bright, clean, consistent lighting makes spaces feel bigger, cleaner, and more inviting. That’s what you want when selling a home. Great lighting ensures your professional photos look incredible. Since most buyers start their search online, those photos are your first chance to grab attention.

Getting your home ready for sale doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small changes, like fixing the lighting, make a big difference. If you have questions or want more tips, feel free to call or text me at 512-587-4050. I’d love to help you get your home market-ready and sold fast.