Before the house hunt went digital, sellers used to work to create curb appeal for their properties by updating the exterior condition of their home. The idea was for sellers to take on exterior home improvements that would entice buyers as they drove by and saw the “For sale” sign in the yard.

Today, of course, buyers typically see dozens of exterior and interior photos of a house before they ever visit in person. That means that web appeal is the new curb appeal, and it’s important for every room in your home to shine when you place it for sale on the market.

While it is advisable to fix up your home before putting it on the market, it’s usually not necessary to upgrade the space and spend more than you’ll get back at resale. Together, we can work to find the right seller home improvements that will help your house shine online — and appeal to buyers online and in person.

Here are some common fixes to consider before you place your home on the market.

Cosmetic updates

Cosmetic work is the easiest to take on, as it doesn’t usually require a contractor. It also tends to be the cheapest! Many of the most common seller home improvements are small cosmetic upgrades, including:

• Painting walls to be a bright, neutral color
• Painting cabinets and bathroom vanities
• Replacing outdated hardware or light fixtures
• Replacing the exterior address numbers near the front door

Middle-of-the-pack updates

If you are willing to put in a little more money on your house, you can consider high-impact upgrades that take a bit more time and planning.

These seller home improvements can include:

• Replacing tile in bathroom or kitchen
• Upgrading an outdated kitchen backsplash
• Removing carpets to reveal hardwood floors
• Replacing an older bathroom vanity
• Adding a medicine cabinet or other bathroom storage
• Replacing your garage door (especially if it’s old and damaged)
• Upgrading your front door

Easy decorative upgrades

If we have decided that your house can be staged using your own furniture, we may still want to add some decorative features that help to draw out the room’s best features. We can decide on these elements once the home’s main updates have been completed.

These decorative elements can include:

• Bright pops of color — throw pillows, candles and other knick knacks
• Large pieces of art on walls
• Floor lamps or table lamps to increase light
• Plants or flowers on tables and shelves
• New hand towels for bathroom and kitchen

But how do I know for sure?

When you work with me, our first step will be for me to walk through your house with a discerning eye (and my trusty clipboard!). I’ll write up a “honey do” list that outlines the seller home improvements that I would recommend.

When I write out my list of tasks, I am very comprehensive. I want to be sure sellers understand the exact impact of each room’s condition. But, I’m also realistic and want to be sure that we focus on the projects that will have the biggest impact at resale. I’m happy if my sellers perform 10-20% of the tasks I recommend in my honey do list.

P.S. Want to request your own honey do list? I’ll be over in short order! Reach out any time to get an expert opinion on the small updates your home needs to sell quickly and for a fair price.