When your home is for sale, people shopping for a house will compare it to other properties for sale. Here are some six ways you can spend your money wisely to meet and beat your competition. 

1. Staging gives you an edge

Whether your local real estate market is hot or cold, staging your home can dramatically affect your selling price. 

According to data from the National Association of Realtors, staged homes sell faster and for more money than unstaged homes. 

And according to the Real Estate Staging Association, what you spend on staging usually costs less than the first price reduction. Think about that. 

A survey by the Association of Home Staging Professionals shows that staging helps home sellers increase their sale price by as much as 20%. Think about that, too.  

Staging your home yourself saves money. 
If you deep clean, declutter, and then stage your rooms
with simple furnishing like this bedroom's,
you'll look better than most other homes for sale. 

2. A handsome garage ups your curb appeal 

Many American homes have a front-facing garage, often making up half of the home's facade. If this is the design of your home, take a hard look at the effect your garage door has on your curb appeal, and on your online listing's profile photo.  

Having a new garage door installed gives you a great return on your money, often yielding over 90% ROI. A new one makes your home look cared for, and is more energy-efficient than an older one that leaks air and is poorly insulated.

According to Zippia, there are over 11,000 garage door installers employed in the U.S., which indicates the demand for this service. Don't be that home with the ugly garage door. Whatever size and style your garage is -- and I love the single detached one pictured above -- give it some love so it's part of your sales package.


3. A kitchen remodel wooes buyers

According to Forbes, the average cost of a full kitchen remodel in the U.S. is approximately $25,000. That's a sizeable chunk of cash! But kitchen remodels can pay off because an older kitchen can be a dealbreaker to many buyers.

If your kitchen has seen its best days, some simple updates will help. Get some quotes for upgrades like new countertops and cabinets. Explain to suppliers that you're preparing the house for sale, Work with them to maintain the same footprint and take other money-saving steps.

For example, new appliances don't have to be top-of-the-line and are sometimes available in the "scratch and dent" department. An open shelving unit will cost less than a wall cabinet. Watch for sales. Do some of the work yourself.

Investopedia reports that a minor kitchen upgrade can yield an 85% ROI, and that's pretty impressive.

4. Your bathroom remodel can be major or minor 

Like kitchens, bathrooms are an important part of your home's value. Out-of-style ones, although sometimes charming, aren't in demand. But an updated bathroom impresses buyers.

A midrange bathroom remodel, which typically includes new fixtures and flooring, and improved storage, can return 70 to 80% of the money you spend.

Even smaller updates like replacing outdated lighting, mirrors, hardware, or faucets and showerheads can make the room look and function better. A vanity can be painted. A new toilet or sink can be an inexpensive model. Don't let the word "remodel" scare you.

Buyers want a bathroom that looks
 and feels super clean, and has
ample storage. An oversized mirror
helps create a spacious feeling. 
Photo: Amanda Evans Interiors

5. Window replacement is a smart investment

Savvy buyers always inspect windows. They don't want old, drafty ones that look bad and aren't energy efficient. New windows make your whole home look newer. They're an especially important consideration to buyers living where weather is extreme.

Depending on the type of windows installed, you can expect to recoup 70 to 80% of the cost when you sell your home.

Budgeting tip: Don't change the location or size of your windows when you have them replaced.

6. A new deck or patio delivers a great return

Of all the improvements I'm listing here, adding outdoor living space is the easiest and most economical one. Adding even a small deck or a slab patio is a great way to make any home feel larger and to suggest to buyers where they can entertain and relax.

Deck additions can offer a return on investment of 70 to 75%, depending on the materials used and the design. Choosing materials like composite decking can help maximize your ROI, and lets buyers know they won't have maintenance issues. 

Get the look, get the book

Staging your home properly will put you ahead in the game, increasing its value on the market and shortening the time it's for sale. What are you waiting for? Click here to download my ebook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. 

Top Photo: Strickland Matejian