What brings the biggest bang for your buck when preparing to sell your house? I get asked variations of this question all the time. If you’re moving soon and don’t have time to do much in the way of home improvements, I suggest these three things:

1. Neutralize the paint. If you have any bright colors on the walls, painting them a neutral color is a great way to start preparing because it makes the house feel fresh and clean. Stick with whites, light grays, or light tans, as those are what buyers want to see.

2. Update the carpet. This is another quick, easy fix. Dated or stained carpet doesn’t show well, especially on the stairs. You can replace it all with an economically priced carpet, and your house will feel light and bright.

3. Declutter. Get all the extra stuff out of the house. People are not buying your personal belongings, they’re buying the house, so they want to easily see the home’s features.

If you’re moving in a couple of years or more and want to enjoy some of the improvements you’re making, I also suggest updating the kitchen and master bathroom. Those upgrades go a long way when it comes time to sell. You’ll likely get between 75% and 90% of your money back.

“All of these suggestions are fairly cheap and add ample value for resale.”

It doesn’t have to be a huge renovation either. In the kitchen, you can replace the countertops with quartz or granite, add a tile backsplash, paint cupboards, add new knobs, and replace dated appliances. If you have old appliances from the 70s or 80s, replace them with white or stainless steel versions that will give the kitchen a clean, modern look. In the master bathroom, you can replace the flooring, put in new vanities from Home Depot (they’re relatively inexpensive and come with all the bells and whistles), and add a new tile backsplash.

All of these suggestions are fairly cheap and add ample value for resale. For more quick tips, or if you have any questions, please contact me directly via phone or email. I’d be glad to come out, preview your house, and give you some ideas on what to do to get top dollar in the current real estate market.