Ready to sell your home? Here are nine hacks to jack your property value — and most are DIY

Despite the strange economic times we are in, people are still living their life and moving to new places. If this is you, and your home needs sprucing up but you don’t have much to spend and the clock it ticking, read on. If you plan and budget correctly, a staycation can be emotionally — and financially — Here are nine hacks to quickly boost your property value with most accomplished as DIY projects: First impressions matter a lot, so if you’ve got broken toboggans and siding falling off your house, it’s not all that appealing.

Start by cleaning up the garden. Dispose of anything that is damaged, ugly or unnecessary. Mow the grass, pull any weeds, fill any holes, finish up projects that were in the works, trim bushes and hedges.



While there’s little you can do to control economic winds blowing from south of the border, Plant some flowers, and perhaps repaint the front door and clean the driveway. Power wash your deck and address any broken boards or latches. If you need more lighting, update it with something energy efficient — even solar powered.

If a potential buyer comes to look at the house at night, the lights will make it feel cozy. If you’ve got the money, a fresh coat of paint on the exterior or trim can quickly add sparkle to your home. If you haven’t made purging and decluttering a regular habit, you’ve got work to do.

Decluttering clears up space so that buyers experience a greater sense of roominess. And by removing family pictures and knick knacks, potential buyers can visualize themselves in the space. Start with items that haven’t been used in six months, that carry a bad memory, are broken or damaged.

If it’s worth a lot and you don’t truly need it, sell it. Organize the items you purge into piles for disposal, donation and, then promptly get rid of it. Once you’ve completed your first round of purging, do it again.

A spotless home signals care and upkeep. Clean the baseboards, windows, appliances, and grout. If you’ve got the budget, hire professionals for a deep clean — especially if you have pets.

If you plan to stay in your home while it’s up for sale, you’ll need to keep it clean and ready to be shown daily. Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, loose handles, dents or holes in the wall and chipped paint. If you need a plumber to reseal a toilet or shower, do it (because if you don’t, it’ll likely show up on an inspection report).

Keep these repairs to quick, low-cost fixes, which will show potential buyers the home is well-maintained. Simple updates can be economical and add a touch of modernity to your space. Painting kitchen cabinets and updating hardware can change the whole look of your kitchen and a bathroom.

Amid the Trump tariff mayhem, a little extra money is always welcome, writes Lesley-Anne Swapping out old light fixtures and faucets can bring a sense of style to your place. If there’s a stained section of carpet, and decent hardwood flooring underneath, consider ripping it out perform a DIY to buff up the hardwood. Buyers tend to like an energy efficient house.

By replacing iridescent light bulbs with LEDs, sealing up windows and doors where drafts occur, installing a smart home energy system, and fixing any leaky faucets are a few things that get noticed. Bold walls may be your style, but neutral tones (like greys, beiges, and soft whites) help buyers see a blank canvas. A fresh coat of paint offers a major return on investment.

Get a quote from a painter on what it might cost to do a smooth ceiling versus popcorn ceiling as this can visually open things up especially in spaces that are feeling a bit cramped. And if you’re good with a roller, save some money and do it yourself! Are your closets awful? Is there so much jammed into drawers and the pantry that it’s completely inefficient? Consider installing an inexpensive closet system and smart storage solutions for cupboards. Installing smart shelves in small spaces, like a den in a condo, can also get things off the floors, and add valuable upper storage.

The goal is to show buyers how space can be optimized; under stairs, above kitchen cabinets, at the back of a garage, in a small garden shed. Also, you’ll need this storage for yourself while you’re in the selling process (all those personal items have to go somewhere!) Use furniture and décor to highlight each room’s purpose and to show off its space. Go room by room and ask yourself what you really need.

Jamming more furniture into your space is never a good idea. Think about reducing it by 30 per cent. Then, rearrange furniture with the help of a staging consultant or realtor.

Google search a local home inspector or ask your realtor for one. Buying a quality used car is often the best financial bet, writes Lesley-Anne Scorgie, unless They will uncover all the problems with your property, and you can decide if you care to fix those issues buyers find them or, at a minimum, disclose anything critical. This helps you avoid surprises during negotiations and can make your home more appealing to serious buyers.

These high-impact tips will take a lot of elbow grease, but if you want to fetch the highest price possible for your home, they’re worth it..