Free Fix-Ups That Can Sell Your Home for More
Sometimes the things that cost nothing have big payoffs. You don’t need to hire a contractor or rent a dumpster. You just need a Saturday morning, coffee and maybe a few cardboard boxes. If you're thinking of selling and want to max out the sale price without making large investments in fixes, here are some free (or very close to free) fixes that can be magic.
1. Edging the Lawn = Instant Curb Appeal
You might mow, but do you edge? If not, this might be your magic trick. That crisp, intentional edge where your lawn meets the sidewalk or driveway tells the world that someone cares. It's like eyeliner for your yard—that extra definition packs a punch. Pull a few weeds, sweep the walk, and you’ve added perceived value without spending a dime.
2. The Power of Bark or Mulch
For a small cost, fresh bark or mulch in flower beds also works wonders. Spread it out and your yard will pop.
3. Box Up Half Your Closet
You’re moving anyway, right? Pre-pack your clothes, especially the out-of-season ones, and suddenly those closets look spacious. Buyers want to believe they’ll finally have enough closet space. Show them space.
4. Touch-Up Paint (or Sometimes Just Magic Eraser!)
Almost every house has one of those little cans of leftover wall paint stashed somewhere. Grab it. Touch up the baseboards, scuffed corners, and switch plate edges. It is always best to repaint completely, but if you have chosen not to, clean up the visual noise. Very often you can wash marks off with a cloth or Magic Eraser.
5. Declutter Like You Mean It
Take a cue from the staging pros: less is more. Pack away family photos, toys, rogue stacks of mail, and that quirky lamp. Think of it this way—every surface you clear makes the house feel bigger. You’re not just selling square footage, you’re selling possibility.
6. Clean What You’ve Stopped Noticing
The tops of the baseboards. The vents. The inside of your microwave. That smudge on the bathroom mirror you’ve been ignoring for 6 months. Clean it all. Buyers notice. Or worse, they feel something is off and can’t quite place what it is. That subtle vibe can make or break.
7. Rearrange the Furniture for Flow
You might be used to that couch blocking half the window, but it’s stealing light and space from your listing photos. Move it. Having a feeling of spaciousness is ideal and it is probably best to err on the side of being slightly empty vs overcrowded.
These are free, or close to free, but when it comes to the non-free things like full paint job or new carpet, don't let money stop you from investing in fixups that payoff! Here is a blog post with a cheat code for getting stuff done and paying out of closing.
Want help deciding what to tackle first? We consult all the time on this stuff!
