5 Easy Improvements to add value before you sell your home

No-nonsense advice from Victoria, our sales & interior specialist

If you're thinking of selling your home, you absolutely must take a little time to prepare properly before listing for sale. A well-presented home not only attracts more interest and greatly improves the outcome of inspections, but it can also significantly boost your final sale price.  The good news? You don’t need a full-scale renovation to make a big difference.

We’re so lucky to have Victoria Fitzgibbon, as one of our sales specialists, because she is also a qualified interior decorator and property stylist.  Our sellers absolutely love her eye for detail and the additional value she has helped them achieve, with her professional presentation advice prior to, and throughout their sale campaign. Victoria notes,

“Buyers typically fall in love with a home in the first few minutes — and often after seeing just the first few photos. You really don’t need to spend a fortune on renovations to achieve a great sales result.  Just focus on things that matter most to buyers. In my experience, first impressions when buying property are usually related to light, space and finishes.”

Here are Victoria’s five easy, cost-effective ways to get your home market-ready and maximise your sale price.

1. Declutter & depersonalise

This first step is often the most powerful. A tidy, uncluttered space feels bigger, lighter, easier to clean and more appealing to all buyer types, from families to retirees to investors. Your listing photos will also reflect a larger space and attract more inspections.

Tips

• Remove excess or damaged furniture to improve flow and make spaces look bigger
• Pack away personal photos, collections and other keepsakes or nick-nacks
• Tidy and dust any open shelving or bookshelves and clear kitchen benches (put away any benchtop appliances taking up valuable space), dust fan blades and make sure windows are clean, especially if you have a view!
• Organise wardrobes, linen cupboards and other storage areas like garages or sheds — the reality is, buyers will look!

A minimalist approach helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the home and visualising how they can add their own personal touches. You could consider renting temporary storage space to remove visual clutter, although moving home can also be a great time to take stock of what you really need to take with you to your new address – anything you don’t donate, throw away or sell now, you’ll need to pack and move anyway!

2. Fresh paint works wonders & is an affordable value-add

A fresh coat of paint is one of the cheapest, most transformative updates you can make.  To save money, you can do this yourself, especially if you’re only refreshing a small space (and have the time).  However, if you are selling a large home this can be a big job that adds stress and time to your sales campaign.  I consider hiring a professional painter money well spent.  

Fresh paint instantly lifts interiors, covers scuffs or holes (including those left after removing personal photos), and it creates a clean slate for buyers to easily picture their own style using only soft furnishings.

Tips:

• Play it safe and stick to neutral tones.  Whites and soft greys are good choices – sage green is also a popular neutral selection for 2025 (in moderation, for example if you're looking to add a calming feature).  It’s no good testing endless sample pots of trendy colours that suit your style and furnishings, if your preference isn’t also shared by potential buyers.
• Use low-sheen paint for walls and semi-gloss for trims and doors.
• Don’t forget to check your ceilings — if needed, painting ceilings can make the whole space feel fresher.

Victoria recommends Dulux Natural White for a fail-safe versatile tone for large areas, or Dulux Lexicon quarter for a cool white to brighten up any room – these whites will suit most homes and buyer types.

Property street appeal counts!

First impressions matter — buyers often drive by properties and form opinions well before they walk through the door at an inspection. Simple upgrades to your front garden and entryway can add instant appeal.

Tips:

• Mow lawns, trim hedges and remove weeds.
• Clean the front path, gutters, and driveway (gurney if needed).
• Don’t underestimate the value of your front door!  Repaint or replace your door if needed, or to modernise your home.
• Add a new simple doormat, some potted plants and exterior lighting.

If your home looks well cared for from the outside, buyers are more likely to feel positive about seeing what’s inside.

4. Update old or broken fixtures & fittings

You really don’t have to renovate your entire kitchen or bathroom to make these feel new. Sometimes a full renovation before selling can be overcapitalising, not to mention time-consuming. Often, simply updating the smaller details can modernise the space and give it a lift.

Ideas to modernise at a fairly low cost include:

• New cabinet handles, door handles or tapware – especially if they are loose, broken or out of date
• Replacing outdated light fixtures – look up, you may be ‘blind’ to seeing these, but buyers will notice
• Swapping out tired blinds (I’m looking at you, broken verticals from the 1980s … ouch!), curtains and even old-fashioned curtain rods.

These small changes are affordable, fast, you can do most (if not all) yourself and they really help bring an older looking property up to date and increase selling appeal.

5. Style or stage for sale

Professional styling, or a complete staging for sale is great if you can afford it, but this isn’t necessary. Even a little styling effort can go a long way.  Buyers are drawn to spaces that feel cohesive, inviting, and well thought out. Most of these you can do yourself:

Tips:

• Use light throws, cushions and rugs to add warmth and texture
• Style bookshelves and coffee tables with care (de-clutter them first then only put back items that work with the space visually, rather than displaying your favourite book collection)
• Add greenery with plants and fresh flowers to bring life to your space as well as improving air quality – no-one gets a good feeling inspecting a stuffy home!   A fresh scented candle (even unlit) can add an inviting scent or cover pet smells, but be careful not to overdo any strong scents, as this can also be offputting to buyers.
• Keep the colour palette for your styling simple and consistent throughout your home.

“Styling doesn’t have to mean hiring a team. Even just rearranging furniture for practicality, using matching bed linen, and adding a few indoor plants can completely change the feel of a home.”

Victoria’s bonus selling tips and a final word

Fix the Basics – Attend to minor repairs like squeaky doors, chipped tiles, or leaking taps. These little things send a message that your home is well maintained.  Ask us for trade recommendations if you need any – we are happy to help!

Clean Like Never Before – A deep clean — windows, walls, tiles, grout, carpets — creates a fresh, move-in ready feel. Buyers notice cleanliness and a clean home always smells amazing. Again, we can help you arrange a one-off clean if you need help.

Create a Mood – On inspection days, open windows, play soft music, and light a candle or two and don’t forget to take the washing off the line! You’re not just selling a house — you’re selling a feeling.  First impressions count!

You don’t need to spend tens of thousands on a renovation to achieve a strong sale result. Focus on first impressions, freshening up your space, and highlighting the lifestyle your home offers.

If you’re unsure where to start, I’d love to help.  I am available for obligation-free personal sale consultations to discuss how I can help sell your home - and I’d be happy to connect you with reliable local trades, stylists and cleaners.

Thinking of selling?  Book an in-home appraisal with Victoria now for personalised advice to help you sell quickly and maximise your home’s sale price.