If you are considering selling your home, a quick tune-up could help you get thousands more. The trick is to maximize your return on investment without breaking the bank. So, what can you do right away to get the most bang for your buck?
First, DECLUTTER!
You only get 1 chance to make a 1st impression! Clutter devalues your home and can make rooms look smaller. A cluttered home creates the impression that the house has not been well maintained. The best part is that decluttering is not expensive and can even generate income.
- Sell, donate, or throw away items you don’t use or won’t be taking with you. This simple step will reduce the stress and cost of moving.
- Audit your closets. Seasonal clothes or items you can't or don't wear take up space and make your closet look smaller.
- Put your seasonal and sentimental items away or in a storage unit. If you won't need it before moving, now is the time to pack it and place it out of sight.
- Don’t just declutter the inside of your home. Apply the same principles to your yard, garages, and other outbuildings. Remove dead plants, prune your bushes, and make sure your driveway and walkways are clear.
These simple steps create value. Buyers will be less distracted, and your spaces will look cleaner and more prominent. If you have a large amount of clutter, consider a professional organizer. This small investment can have big payoffs!
Second, finish that "honey to-do list!"
Minor repairs like a leaky faucet, loose towel bar, loose outlet covers, or broken handles can create a wrong impression.
- Take a critical look at each room and list all the minor issues you spot. Even better, ask a family member (mothers-in-law are great) to come over and make a list of all the little problems they notice. Fresh eyes will give you an idea of the items that will stick out to potential buyers.
- Replace light bulbs and be sure that the light is appropriate for each room.
- Apply fresh caulk around sinks and bathtubs.
- Ensure your windows are operating smoothly.
- Lubricate squeaky doors and cabinets.
- Trim the overgrown shrubbery.
- Mow the lawn.
- Power wash your fence.
- Repair any broken wall with cement and paint.
Third, hire a housekeeper.
A clean home makes a great impression. A deep cleaning, particularly in the kitchen and bath, will help your home look fresh and make buyers feel that your home is well cared for.
- Deep clean appliances.
- Clean and sanitize drains to reduce odors.
- Window ledges and grooves can collect cobwebs and dust. Clean windows add natural light to your room and improve your scenic views.
- Wash all curtains and drapes.
- Consider the cabinets that a buyer might open. Make sure they are clean and organized.
- Remove small appliances from counters and place them out of sight.
- Have carpets professionally cleaned or hardwood floors waxed.
- Make sure your entrance, inside and out, is clean, bright, and inviting.
- Paint fences and front gates
Fourth, Paint!
Few things can generate the return on investment that a fresh, clean coat of paint can.
- According to a 2018 study by Zillow, "homes with black front doors, tuxedo kitchen cabinets and periwinkle blue bathrooms sell for as much as $6,000” more.”
- According to Zillow's study, painting your front door black and grey will cost about $20, but your home could sell for as much as $6,271 more.
- Cool neutral walls also increased sales prices while homes with kitchens and yellow exteriors sell for $2,310 less.
Check out this room-by-room paint guide from Zillow.
| Room Type | Color Tag | Description (what this color looks like in homes) | Effect (on average, how much more or less the home sold for) |
| Bathroom | Light Blue | Periwinkle blue – often found with a gray-blue tint | $2,786 |
| Dining Room | Brown | Oat brown to medium sandy brown. A brown with yellowish undertones | - $1,684 |
| Kitchen | Black/Dark Navy Lower Cabinets | Tuxedo cabinets – white or light-colored upper cabinets with dark navy or black lower cabinets or kitchen island cabinets. Typically paired with lighter wall color for a pop of color / high contrast | $1,547 |
| Kitchen | Red | Brick or barn red to a lighter raspberry red | - $2,310 |
| Living Room | Light Taupe | Light taupe - a warm tan with pink or peach undertones; darker peach to pink undertones on accent walls | $2,793 |
| Exterior | Yellow | Creamy bright yellow to a flax yellow. A warm yellow with brown undertones | - $3,408 |
| Front Door | Black | Charcoal, smoky black to a rich jet black | $6,271 |
Lastly, your real estate agent is an excellent resource. They’ve seen hundreds, maybe thousands of homes and can help you identify which projects will generate the best return.