Do I need to replace the carpet?

You don’t necessarily need to replace the carpet if it’s clean and only shows normal wear, but keep in mind that 10-year-old carpet can still make your home feel a bit dated to buyers, which may lead to lower offers or more negotiation during escrow. In many cases, a professional deep cleaning is a smart and cost-effective first step that can improve the overall appearance significantly. However, if your goal is to create the best first impression and potentially sell faster with stronger offers, replacing the carpet can still be worth considering. If you prefer not to replace it right now, another good option is to offer a credit at closing for new carpet, which allows buyers to choose their own flooring while still making your home more appealing.

No—you don’t automatically need to replace it. In your situation, it’s probably not a great ROI move unless the carpet looks worse than you think.