Six low-cost ways to boost your home’s value

Whether the housing market is booming or times are tough, you want to get the best price for your home. Before the For Sale sign hits your yard, use these tips to maximize your home’s value.

1. Organize, clean, and declutter

For a few hundred dollars, you can hire a professional cleaning service to clean your entire home. Also, de-clutter your rooms to make them look like they have more space. Then sell your stuff, give it away, put it in storage, or toss it.

2. Light up the house

Spending $1,000 or less on new lighting fixtures can illuminate your home’s best features.

3. Get designer or staging help

Professionally staged homes have a higher perceived value by buyers than unstaged homes, leading to higher offers.

4. Clean or repair flooring

Consider either shampooing or fixing damaged flooring. You can always find deals on professional carpet cleaning.

5. Fresh paint

Paint not only the walls, but also the ceilings, baseboards, and trim with a neutral color. Fresh paint can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value.

6. Update your kitchen or bath

Paint cabinetry rather than replace it. Add stainless steel or chrome fixtures. Update cabinet hardware and lighting. These cosmetic changes can add several thousand dollars to the value of your home.