12 Low-Cost Tricks to Help You Sell Your House Fast

Front of white house with pink front door
Photo: John Bessler

When your home hits the real estate market, you typically want it to be scooped up by a buyer as quickly as possible. So to sell your house fast, enhance its value by investing time and money in projects that boost its appeal. These simple repairs and inexpensive updates will help your home look its best, so prospective buyers won't be able to pass it up.

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Neutralize Your Home

Living room with stone fireplace and white couches
Emily Followill

Use a neutral palette throughout your home to sell your house quickly and appeal to the largest possible buying segment. The eye can roam freely through a neutral palette, making the space feel more expansive. If you have a vibrant hue on your walls, consider painting over it with a neutral shade. This lets potential buyers see themselves and their interests in the blank space. Lastly, take down wallpaper or borders to make your home appeal to a broad range of potential buyers.

02 of 12

Complete Needed Repairs

front yard landscaping makeover home exterior driveway trees green

If something needs repair, fix it. Chances are you've become accustomed to your home's flaws, but a home buyer will be less likely to overlook imperfections. Improve safety by fixing uneven or badly cracked cement on the front walk, repairing loose railings, and replacing broken windows and panes, which can raise security issues. Owner neglect will only lower the asking price or lengthen the time required to sell your house.

Additionally, ask a realtor to point out what other repairs must be done to your home before it goes on the market. Homebuyers often require a professional inspection, so it's wise to be one step ahead of the game already. Make needed repairs before the first open house to save you stress and money in the long run.

03 of 12

Minimize Clutter

linen closet storage shelving containers
Lincoln Barbour Photo

An organized home will help buyers see its potential while giving rooms a more spacious feel. Sort through your belongings and pitch anything you don't need or that isn't going with you to the new home. Pack up unsightly or distracting items that are not necessary for the sale. This includes toys, out-of-season clothing, and everything on kitchen counters. Sell items that won't fit your new home's size or style.

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Freshen Your Landscaping

Front of white house with pink front door
John Bessler

Keep the grass nicely trimmed to give your yard a welcoming first impression. Cut and trim all trees and bushes so an overgrown landscape doesn't distract from your home's beauty. Welcome potential buyers with a pot of flowers on your doorstep. If you have a porch or a deck, clean outdoor furniture.

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Update Kitchen Cabinetry Hardware

Kitchen with white stove and patterned rug
John Bessler

To sell your house, special attention must be given to the kitchen, as it is often considered the heart of the home. Changing handles and knobs to a brass or silver finish can easily update the look of your cabinets. You can find several hardware options at home centers that are affordable and stylish.

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Upgrade Your Flooring

Kitchen with wooden floors and tall table
Jeff Herr

Expose hardwood floors to enhance the look and value of your home. The popularity of hardwood floors is undeniable and can substantially raise your asking price. Buyers are seeking out natural-looking surfaces for every space. If you don't have hardwood floors, install beige carpet to make a home seem fresher.

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Clean Your Home Thoroughly

Cleaning supplies in wire basket
Cameron Sadeghpour

An immaculate house is a sure selling point. Clean the carpet, scrub the walls and trim, and pick up all loose items in all rooms. Keep appliances spotless by cleaning off the top of the refrigerator and the handles on your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven. Reduce clutter and maximize the appearance of workspaces by cleaning counters of small appliances, food, and papers.

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Rearrange Your Furniture

living room furniture arrangement with fireplace

Make your rooms seem larger by creating clear traffic patterns with your furniture arrangement. Traffic should be directed around the conversation core. Also, when placing furniture in a room, pay attention to its visual weight, not just size. Light-color furniture or pieces with thin, tapered legs appear lighter than dark or boxy upholstered pieces.

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Paint Your Front Door

bright yellow front door on house with blue siding and plants
Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Make a statement with a colorful front door. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders on any surface, and a bright hue will help sell your house by making it stand out in a neighborhood of neutral colors. Simple materials you likely already have on hand (paint, primer, and brushes) keep costs low.

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Play Up the Light

Living room with white couches and blue accessories
Robert Brantley

Take advantage of all available light to help make your home's rooms feel larger. Use white or pale colors, which increase the brightness of a room by reflecting light. Keep window treatments simple and avoid blocking the windows with heavy layers of fabric.

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Light Up Pathways

lighted solar lights along stone walking path
Marty Baldwin

A well-lit path to your home is both welcoming and safe as providing illumination extends hospitality to visitors and makes walking more secure. High illumination isn't necessary, and downlights will prevent glare. Individually lit pavers can also be used to light a pathway.

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Dress Up Your Front Porch

porch yellow swing bold patterns colors decor
Blaine Moats

Welcome buyers with a few pots of seasonal plants and a decorative door mat. If your porch is large, make sure there's a comfortable seat or swing in good condition on which guests can sit. Check that steps and railings are stable and in good repair.

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