If you're planning to sell your home soon, these upgrades offer the best return on investment and help your home sell faster. Each one is relatively affordable and proven to make a difference in buyers' eyes.
1. Deep Clean & Declutter
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Why: First impressions matter. A spotless, organized home feels more spacious and cared for.
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How: Pack away personal items/photos and unnecessary furniture. Organize closets and pantries. Consider a temporary storage unit if needed. if it feels too overwhelming, you can hire a professional cleaner.
2. Fresh Interior Paint
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Why: Paint instantly freshens up the space and neutral tones appeal to more buyers.
- How: Stick to light, neutral colors that make your space feel bigger and more cohesive. According to our team’s go-to paint guide, here are a few tried-and-true options we recommend:
✅ Chantilly Lace – A crisp, bright white that makes rooms feel clean and modern (Benjamin Moore)
✅ Seapearl – A soft, warm neutral that flatters most flooring and lighting (Benjamin Moore)
✅ Alabaster – A creamy white that’s perfect for walls in living areas and bedrooms (Sherwin Williams)
✅ White Duck – A muted, sophisticated off-white that pairs beautifully with wood accents (Sherwin Williams)
Avoid bold or highly personalized color choices. A neutral palette helps buyers picture themselves living there.
👉 Need help choosing the right color? Grab our free Paint Color Guide for Home Sellers
3. Curb Appeal Upgrade
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Why: Buyers decide how they feel about a home within seconds of arriving.
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How: Trim landscaping, plant flowers, power wash the exterior clean windows, repaint the front door, and replace house numbers or lighting if outdated.
4. Minor Kitchen Updates
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Why: Kitchens sell homes.
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How: Replace dated cabinet hardware, install a new faucet, paint cabinets if needed, and update lighting fixtures. Update appliances to stainless steel. Avoid full remodels unless necessary because the ROI on a full kitchen remodel typically isn't worth it!
5. Bathroom Refresh
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Why: Clean, modern bathrooms make a huge impact.
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How: Re-grout tile or scrub grout clean, update mirrors and light fixtures, replace towels with new & neutral colored ones, replace damaged or outdated floors, and install a new toilet seat.
6. Light Fixtures & Bulbs
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Why: Lighting changes the feel of a home instantly.
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How: Swap outdated fixtures for modern, budget-friendly ones. Use light and bright LED bulbs in all rooms = no yellow or soft light bulbs!
7. Flooring Touch-Up or Replacement
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Why: Worn floors can drag down the whole home.
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How: Deep clean and shampoo carpets or replace with budget-friendly luxury vinyl planks.
8. Update Door Handles & Hardware
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Why: Small details matter, especially when buyers are opening every door.
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How: Match finishes (matte black, brushed nickel, etc.) throughout the home for a cohesive look.
9. Pre-Listing Inspection or Maintenance Tune-Up
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Why: Prevent surprises that might cost you later.
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How: Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, broken outlets, and HVAC filters.
10. Stage Strategically
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Why: Staged homes sell faster and for more money.
- How: Rearrange furniture to highlight space and flow. Add fresh pillows, neutral decor, and cozy touches. Hire a stager if budget allows.
Want Personalized Advice?
📍 We offer Free Room-by-Room Reviews to help sellers prepare their homes to list—often 1–3 months in advance.
You’ll walk away with a checklist and improvement plan tailored to your home and timeline.
👉 Book Your Room-by-Room Review Here
✨ Final Thoughts
Even small upgrades can make a big impact. If you’re unsure where to start, we’re happy to help.
📞 Reach out anytime for a custom prep plan—whether you're selling in 30 days or 3 months.
