Member Education & Consumer Tips

Increase the Resale Value of Your Home

Planning on selling your home? Maximize the resale value with simple improvements that will bring the highest return on your investment.

Source: Lisa Bosse, Accredited Staging Professional

		Average Cost	Increase in Sales Price	Return on Investment	% Agents Recommend
Lighten and Brighten		$98	$538 - $865	619%	83%
Recommended Action	Replace any burnt-out bulbs and use higher wattage bulbs, if possible. Have defective electrical components repaired or replaced. Make sure skylights are clear and keep drapes open during the day.
Clean & Straighten Up		$279	$1,594 - $2,058	556%	90%
Recommended Action	Remove clutter by storing items in basement, attic or friend's home. Rent a storage space or sell excess items, if needed. Keep every room very clean during open homes. Do pre-open house cleanliness inspections.
Staging		$612	$1,466 - $2,362	213%	72%
Recommended Action	Buy some fresh flowers, live plants and other decorations to liven up the home. Dispose of old furniture or other large items. Consider renting furniture or hiring a staging consultant.
Yard		$398	$1,013 - $1,361	198%	70%
Recommended Action	Store away personal effects from front yard. Hire gardener or landscaper to trim back the overgrowth and maintain yard. Make sure that your lawn has a healthy green appearance.
Update Kitchen and Bath		$1,549	$2,817 - $4,641	141%	75%
Recommended Action	Update kitchen and baths by resurfacing cabinets or painting with neutral color. Replace toilet seats, dated fixtures and drawer/cabinet handles. Freshly caulk and redo grout in countertops, sinks, tubs and showers.
Plumbing and Electrical		$309	$550 - $816	121%	60%
Recommended Action	Consider repairing or replacing any defective plumbing or electrical items in your home. Make sure you have the right person for the job by getting several estimates.
Paint interior		$1,422	$1,891 - $2,550	56%	66%
Recommended Action	Repair any damaged interior walls by patching all chips, holes and cracks; then touch up or repaint interior walls with neutral color.
Flooring		$1,566	$1,842 - $2,362	198%	60%
Recommended Action	Repair and refinish damaged floors, or cover with neutral-colored wall-to-wall carpet and note damage in your disclosure.
Carpeting		$2,798	$3,268 - $3,828	27%	63%
Recommended Action	If carpets are only lightly soiled, shampooing and/or spot removal should suffice. If there are rips, fading, heavy wear, smells or deep stains, replace with neutral color.
Paint Exterior		$2,119	$2,299 - $2,862	22%	54%
Recommended Action	Repaint or resurface the outside walls of house, as needed. Patch and repair any damaged areas.

Source: Lisa Bosse, Accredited Staging Professional