Selling your home can be both exciting and overwhelming. While you want the best possible price, you may not want to spend a fortune on professional staging or renovations. The good news is that there are plenty of simple, DIY ways to make your home more appealing to buyers.
Here are some straightforward and budget-friendly tips to get your home market-ready.
1. Declutter and Depersonalise
One of the easiest and most effective ways to prepare your home for sale is to declutter. Remove excess furniture, personal items, and anything that makes the space feel cramped or overly personalised.
Potential buyers should be able to envision living in your home, so store away family photos, collectables, and personal decor. Consider renting a storage unit if necessary.
2. Deep Clean Everything
A clean home looks more inviting and well-maintained. Focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, and don’t forget often-overlooked spots such as baseboards, ceiling fans, and windows.
Consider renting a carpet cleaning machine or hiring a professional for a fresh look if your carpets are stained.
3. Carry Out Minor Repairs
Minor repairs can make a big difference. Walk through your home and fix any issues like loose cabinet handles, squeaky doors, leaky faucets, or chipped paint.
These small maintenance issues make buyers think your home hasn’t been well cared for.
4. Freshen Up the Paint
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home’s appeal. Stick to neutral colours like white, beige, or light grey, as these shades make spaces look larger and more inviting. Avoid bold or dark colours, as they can be off-putting to potential buyers.
5. Improve Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and the exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see. Mow the lawn, trim bushes, remove weeds, and add colourful flowers for a welcoming touch.
If your front door looks worn, a fresh coat of paint in a warm, inviting colour can significantly impact your home’s curb appeal.
6. Enhance Lighting
Bright and airy spaces are more appealing to buyers. Open the curtains and blinds to let in natural light.
Replace dim or outdated light fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options. If a room lacks natural light, add strategically placed lamps to brighten it up.
7. Stage Each Room
You don’t need a professional stager to make your home look its best. Arrange furniture to maximise space and flow. Use throw pillows, fresh flowers, and simple decor to make the space look warm and inviting.
In the kitchen, place a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, and in the bathroom, add plush towels and a beautiful orchid from Woolies.
8. Eliminate Odours
Smell plays a significant role in how buyers perceive your home. Pet odours, smoke, or strong cooking smells can be a turnoff.
Air out your home, use baking soda on carpets, and consider using light, neutral air fresheners.
9. Update Hardware and Fixtures
Replacing outdated cabinet handles, plumbing, and doorknobs is an inexpensive way to modernise your home.
Choose sleek, modern designs that complement your home’s style. This minor update can refresh an older kitchen or bathroom.
10. Tidy Up Outdoor Spaces
If you have a garden or patio, make it inviting. Clean outdoor furniture, power-wash the paving, and add potted plants or fairy lights to create a cosy atmosphere.
Buyers love the idea of outdoor living spaces, so showcase yours to its full potential.
11. Organise Storage Areas
Buyers will look inside cupboards and the garage to assess storage space. Neatly arrange items, use storage bins, and donate things you no longer need.
A well-organised space looks more spacious and functional.
Getting your home ready to sell doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. With a little effort and these simple DIY improvements, you can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase its value.
The key is to create a clean, bright, and inviting space that allows potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. Happy selling!
Suzette Meyer is the lead author and content creator for Kandua.com, South Africa’s #1 marketplace for home services. She researches and writes the Kandua Advice articles, Cost Guides, and the Kandua Email Newsletter, drawing on the expertise of Kandua’s base of over 40 000 pros across more than 100 services, and the data gathered from the 100 000+ home service projects facilitated through the platform.
Home improvement can be daunting, and it is often difficult to find out if you are paying a fair price for your products and services. Suzette has made it her mission to help homeowners with advice on all aspects of home repair, maintenance and improvement, including how to choose the right handyman and how to make smart upgrades that improve your resale value or save costs.
