You can spend a lot of money getting your home ready for buyers, or you can "just list it" and spend nothing. I recommend a happy medium: Spend where you will see a good return on your money. Here's a list of some improvements that are worth your investment because they make your home outshine the competition. 

Paint your walls 

All buyers see their home purchase as a new beginning. So, it makes sense to showcase your home as new, no matter what its age. Staging is one of the most powerful ways to make a house feel newer.

Painting gives you the biggest bang for your homestaging buck. Newly painted walls make a home look and even smell new and clean. Extra credit if you also paint the trim -- your baseboards and the casings around doors. To make this DIY project easier, tackle one room at a time, and use the same color paint throughout the house.

Choose a paint color that will 
coordinate with the fixtures 
in your home that are fixed.  
Photo: Morgan Harrison Home

If the kitchen and baths in your home have paintable cabinets, ask yourself if they would benefit from a refresh. Depending on the price point and market for your home, it may be beneficial to have them professionally spray-painted. Or even replaced.    

Get techy

You can also impress buyers with how up-to-date your home is by adding simple things like a smart thermostat, smart doorbell, programmable lights, and security features like smart locks and surveillance cameras, smoke detectors, and leak sensors. If you have excellent internet access, ensure your listing reflects this.

Homes with useful and current tech stand out and command higher prices. Smart lighting and smart appliances make a home feel modern and new, and buyers will factor in their convenience, safety, and energy savings when they make that purchase offer. 

 
Installing battery-powered smoke detectors
in your home can be on your DIY list. Photo: Anji

Replace windows 

Old wooden windows are a sure way to lose points with buyers. Old windows are inefficient and a maintenance problem. New windows update the look of your home

What I love about today's modern vinyl windows is that they can tilt in for easy cleaning. Buyers know that new windows also offer improved insulation, which helps maintain indoor temperatures and reduce heating and cooling costs.

So, count your windows. According to Consumer Reports, the typical cost to replace a vinyl window is about $550. Do the math and see if replacement is affordable now that you want to sell. New windows impress buyers. Remember that the longer your home sits on the market, the less profit you'll see from its sale because you'll have ongoing maintenance costs.

New vinyl windows refresh the look of
both the exterior and the
interior of a home. Photo: PJ.Fitzpatrick

Update water heater

Another feature you can brag about in your online listing is a modern water heating system. Rather than a traditional water heater, today's heat pump water heaters save money on both energy and water usage. For example, according to NSW Climate and Energy Action, these units can cut hot water energy use by up to a whopping 75% compared to conventional electric storage systems. 

An updated water heating system will last longer and require less care than traditional water heaters. Be sure your listing agent is aware of these advantages. Realtors will often research water and energy costs for your property, and it helps if you can provide proof of what you've been paying.

If you are marketing your home to investors who will use the property as a rental, switching to a tankless hot water system makes sense. These systems save space, reduce maintenance costs, and are a financial plus for renters.             

Make minor changes

Even though you may consider minor fixes and remedies for deferred maintenance as repairs, your online listing can call them "upgrades." It makes a difference in a buyer's mind because the term "upgrades" indicates that the home was pampered rather than just patched as problems arose. 

A smart buyer and the home inspector he hires will check for things like the condition of attic insulation, and any moisture in walls, crawl spaces and around all plumbing fixtures. You can get ahead of the curve by hiring your own inspector or plumber to examine your home for leaks, moisture, and exterior drainage.

According to Plumbing Manufacturers International, 13.7% of water usage in an average home is caused by leaks. Even small drips from faucets, running toilets, or inefficient showerheads will add up to wasted water and higher utility bills.   

Flooring sets the tone of your house. Reevaluate your wood floors to see if they will benefit from a refresh. I like Method Squirt and Mop Wood Floor Cleaner. Swiffer makes a cleaner just for LVP floors. If your carpets show signs of wear, it's time to replace before your list. (You needn't buy the top-of-the-line carpeting.)  

Refresh the exterior

If you focus on curb appeal, you'll cash in on some of the most profitable upgrades.  

You can paint or restyle or replace your overhead garage door. Here are some before and after photos that demonstrate the power of a garage door facelift.

No matter what season,when
your home is photographed, 
it can look fresh and inviting. 

Just like your interior spaces, your outdoor spaces probably need decluttering and simplifying before the photographer gets there. Make sure plants are healthy and tidy, and that walkways are clear, safe, and obvious. Is it time to pressure wash your homes exterior?  

Get the look, get the book

Are you on a journey to get your home sold? It's never too early to start thinking about how to make it more valuable. My DIY home staging ebooks will give you the ideas, inspiration and plans to make the most of your efforts. Don't leave without downloading  DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You're one click away from a profitable sale. 

Top Photo: Julie Soefer