Are you looking to sell your house as quickly as possible and for top dollar? If so, then you should focus on increasing the value of your home in order to make it easier to find a buyer and get a higher price. Here are 20 things you can do to increase the value of your house.

1. Recaulk windows, sinks, bathtubs, and backsplashes – These areas are notorious for being home to mold and grime. If you have a hard time cleaning them yourself, then it is likely that potential buyers will feel the same way. Caulking can go a long way towards increasing value because it makes those areas seem clean, fresh, and new.
2. Replace faucets – Replacing faucets is a small investment that goes a long way. Faucets tend to build up water stains and are difficult to clean. Replacing them gives buyers the feeling of a new home.
3. Replace window screens and screen doors – Over time, window screens can fade, warp, or tear, making the house look aged or dingy. Adding brand new screens is inexpensive and can add the impression that the house has been well maintained and cared for.
4. Paint the interior – A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the interior of your house. It can make it look cleaner and brighter, which are both things that buyers are looking for. Choose neutral colors, such as eggshell or beige.
5. Replace lightswitch covers and electrical socket plates – Replacing worn light switch covers and electrical socket plates is another inexpensive way to update the look of your house. Lightswitch covers are just one place where dirty fingerprints can accumulate, so it makes sense that buyers will want a fresh start when they move into their new home.
6. Clean or replace carpets – Carpets are another home element where dirt and stains can accumulate, so it is important to have them professionally cleaned if needed. Replacing old carpet will make the entire house seem brand new.
7. Change door knobs and deadbolt locks – Another way to invoke the feeling that the house has shiny and new elements is by replacing the doorknobs throughout the house and any deadbolt locks.
8. Update light fixtures – Replacing old light fixtures with new ones is an easy way to update the entire house and give it a more modern look and feel. Choose fixtures that are simple and sleek.
9. Replace cabinet hardware – Replacing old cabinet hardware with new hardware is a cheap way to update the look of your cabinets. Choose hardware that is modern and simple.
10. Power wash the exterior – Power washing the exterior of your house is a great way to make it look cleaner and newer. It can also remove any dirt or stains that have built up over time.
11. Power wash the driveway and garage floor – Cleaning the exterior of your house naturally makes it look better, but power washing items like the driveway and garage floor can make them seem brand new.
12. Replace exterior lighting – If you have old, outdated exterior lighting, then replace it with new bulbs and light covers. Make sure the areas around porch lights are free of cobwebs and insects.
13. Trim trees and shrubs and mow the lawn – Trees and shrubs that are overgrown or unkempt can make your house look run-down. Trimming them back and keeping them well-groomed makes the house appear more cared for. The same goes for the lawn. A well-manicured lawn gives the impression of a well-maintained home.
14. Add a fresh coat of stain or paint to wooden decks and porches – If you have a wooden deck or porch, adding a fresh coat of stain or paint will help protect it from the elements and keep it looking new.
15. Clean gutters – Gutters that are clogged with debris and leaves can make your house look uncared for. Cleaning your gutters is an easy way to improve the exterior appearance of your home.
16. Add new landscaping – Adding new landscaping, such as flowers, plants, and shrubs, can really enhance the look of your house. Choose plants that are in season and add pops of color to the yard.
17. Stage your house for sale – The way your house looks when you put it on the market is extremely important. Staging it in a way that makes it look its best will help ensure that you get top dollar. Remove any clutter or unwanted items. Pack away anything you won’t need between now and when you move. Store any big items like china cabinets, unused desks, hutches, dressers, or anything bulky that will make rooms look smaller and stuffy. Pack up all of your personal items like collectibles, portraits of family or friends, books and magazines, religious decor, or any other item that represents your personality. You want a clean slate for buyers to imagine their own things on the walls and in the rooms.
18. Consider a pre-sale home inspection and appraisal – If you’re really serious about getting top dollar for your house, then consider having it inspected by a pre-sale home inspector. This is an inspector who specializes in finding any potential problems with the property so that you can address them before putting it on the market. This will give buyers peace of mind and show them that you’re taking every step possible to ensure that the house is in great condition. It may also encourage them to make a higher offer. An appraiser will assess the home for its current market value, including how well it has aged. Appraisers tend to measure in increments of $500, so taking advice from a listing appraisal to make additional improvements could raise the bank’s appraisal by at least that much.
19. Add smart devices – Adding smart devices like an outdoor camera, security system, or video doorbell can make your house seem more secure. This is a relatively inexpensive way to increase the value of your home without spending too much money. Smart thermostats are also popular upgrades that won’t break the bank.
20. Talk with your real estate agent – Your agent can give you advice on which improvements will yield the most return for your investment. Real estate agents are experts with insights into current market trends and home values. Ask a professional agent to tour your home with you, inside and out, to discover more ways that you can increase your home’s value.

There are plenty of inexpensive ways that you can make small upgrades and updates to help your house appraise for more and influence a buyer’s perceived value. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars or do a complete renovation. Ask your agent for more information about how to increase the sale price of your home.

There are always things to do in order to get your home ready to put on the market. Some are large ticket items, some small, and some may not be necessary at all. It takes a pair of skilled eyes to help you separate the must-do from the don’t-bother. An experienced, savvy real estate agent can assist you in deciding how to put your checklist together.

For example, your aged kitchen may really need a makeover, but that’s a very expensive project. So, you’re thinking about simply putting on new countertops to give the room a little punch. Your agent might agree or might say that’s only putting a bandaid on something that needs a total facelift. Your new countertops could stand out like a sore thumb instead of helping the kitchen’s appearance. New owners may want to do the complete remodel themselves and your new countertops will be ripped out anyway.

Another example: suppose there’s a large crack running down the corner of your living room wall all the way from the vaulted ceiling to the wainscoting. It has been there for years…in fact, you really never notice it anymore, so you plan to just leave it. Your agent will probably tell you that home hunters will spot that crack quickly and suspect it was caused by foundation problems. Fix the crack and repaint; it’s not an expensive job.

Agents are experts at evaluating what needs to be done. Your agent will tour your property inside and out to show you what needs to be done to attract qualified buyers. It is very difficult to look at your own home with an objective eye. You need to look at it the way prospective buyers will, and that’s a difficult task. It’s hard to see flaws after living with them for years. It also can be very emotional because your home is full of memories and your individual decorating choices. Deciding what to change or repair to give it a more neutral appearance can be a sensitive issue. You need an agent to walk you through the process.

Your final checklist will fall into three categories.

1. The unnecessary ones are either items that won’t make much difference to getting the house sold, or they are just too expensive for you to tackle in advance of putting it on the market.
2. Simple items are frequently cosmetic changes or quick, affordable replacements.
3. Serious issues are unavoidable and must be addressed before listing the house. These are the kinds of repairs you must do or risk having an interested buyer worry that your home may have multiple problems.

Your real estate agent is critical in helping you complete your final checklist. Once that step is complete, you can work through it until your house is ready to be staged, photographed, and listed.

Here’s an important tip:  don’t think you can hide major problems because any major issues will be discovered during the buyer’s professional inspection. Expensive surprises during inspection could scare away buyers looking for a turnkey house ready to occupy immediately. Also, many states have disclosure rules. Some require the seller to answer any question asked by the potential buyers. Others require the seller to voluntarily disclose any problems once the house is on the market.

You may be tempted to save some money and sell your home without the help of a real estate agent. You will likely regret that choice because of the concerns discussed here. In addition, your agent will give you excellent service in pricing your home, understanding the local market, publicizing your sale, and helping you negotiate the massive number of legal and regulatory requirements that you will have at closing. Make the right choice, and hire a valuable partner for your home sale, one of the largest financial transactions of your life.