If you want to sell your house, you probably want to get the best price for it. However, you might not want to spend a fortune on major renovations. The good news is that the most impactful preparations you can make are often the most affordable. A few low-cost fixes can help you sell your home quickly and for a higher price.

This guide covers seven high-impact, low-cost ways to make your home shine for potential buyers. We also have a bonus tip for those who want to skip the prep work entirely.

7 Ways to Get Your House Ready to Sell

When buyers walk through your home, you want them to focus on the space and imagine their life in it, rather than getting distracted by minor issues. These simple projects can help you put your best foot forward and increase your home’s appeal.

1. Declutter and Depersonalize (The $0 Option)

This is the single most important and completely free step. A cluttered home looks messy, small, and disorganized. A clean, open space allows buyers to better visualize themselves and their belongings in the home.

Start by packing away personal photos, souvenirs, and knick-knacks. Next, tackle any cluttered areas like closets, pantries, and countertops. An organized closet can make it seem like there’s more space, which is a major selling point.

2. Deep Clean Everything

A sparkling clean home signals to buyers that the property has been well-maintained. This can be a labor-intensive project, but it’s worth the effort. Go beyond a basic cleaning and scrub the home from top to bottom.

Clean the baseboards, dust the ceiling fans and light fixtures, and wash all windows. Don’t forget to scrub grout lines in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you have carpets, consider renting a steam cleaner to give them a deep clean. This simple effort can dramatically improve your home’s perceived value.

3. Freshen Up with Neutral Colors

house colors

A fresh coat of paint is one of the cheapest ways to make a big difference. Paint over bold, bright, or dark walls with a fresh, neutral color like greige, off-white, or a light gray. This creates a blank slate that allows buyers to envision their own style in the room.

Real Simple suggests the use of neutral colors to make a room feel larger and more open. This inexpensive upgrade is a favorite among realtors and is a proven way to increase your home’s value.

4. Boost Your Curb Appeal

First impressions matter. The moment a buyer pulls up to your home, they are already forming an opinion. You can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal with a few simple projects.

  • Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and pull weeds.
  • Add plants or flowers to beds near the front door.
  • Consider a fresh coat of paint for your front door to make it pop.
  • Sweep or power wash the porch and walkways.

These small touches can make a house quickly feel more welcoming and well-cared-for.

5. Update Light Fixtures and Hardware

Dated light fixtures, cabinet pulls, and door handles can make an entire room feel old. You can find inexpensive, modern replacements at any home improvement store. Swapping out a few key pieces can provide an immediate and impactful update. New hardware and fixtures are little things that add a lot of value.

6. Let There Be Light

Natural light makes a home feel brighter, more inviting, and larger. Make sure to open all curtains and blinds for every showing. Replace any burned-out or mismatched bulbs to ensure every room is well-lit. Consider using higher-wattage bulbs to make the space feel brighter and more open.

7. Make Minor Repairs

Walk through your home with a critical eye and note all the small, nagging issues. These are the things buyers focus on and what can give them a negative impression. Take the time to fix leaky faucets, repair squeaky doors, patch small holes in walls, and address any peeling paint.

If you’re worried about larger issues, you could also consider a pre-listing home inspection. For example, a home inspector might find something like termite damage that you weren’t aware of. Fixing these issues beforehand can help you avoid potential problems during the negotiation process.

The Ultimate “Inexpensive” Option: A Way That Costs $0

For some homeowners, the most valuable resources aren’t money, but time and energy. What if the most inexpensive way to get your house ready was to do absolutely nothing at all? If you’re a homeowner in DeLand, Detroit, or Dayton, there’s a different way to sell.

When you sell your home directly to a cash buyer like iBuyHomes, you sell it completely as-is.

  • No Repair Costs: You don’t have to fix a single thing. We’ll buy the house, whether it has termite damage or a leaky roof.
  • No Cleaning or Staging Costs: We buy the home in its current condition, so you can leave the furniture and clutter exactly where they are.
  • No Hassle: Skip the showings, open houses, and negotiations.

This is the perfect option for those who want to avoid the cost and the hassle of traditional prep work. It’s a particularly good choice for people trying to sell an inherited property that they don’t want to spend time or money on.

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s a bad time to sell your home, a cash offer can remove the uncertainty of the market and give you a guaranteed sale, shortening the average time to sell a home. With a cash offer, the most inexpensive option is to do nothing at all.