When your home hits the real estate market, you are usually hoping that it will sell as quickly as possible. After all, this means fewer showings and quicker closings. However, that doesn't mean you have to invest thousands of dollars in fancy upgrades. There are simple and affordable things you can do to help your home get scooped up right away. These easy and inexpensive ideas will boost your home’s appearance so it looks its best and appeals to prospective buyers.

Minimize Clutter

Nothing turns buyers off like a messy house. Cluttered countertops, piles of laundry, mountains of toys, and stacks of mail immediately make the home appear dirty and unkept. On the other hand, an organized home gives the impression that the home has been well cared for and it helps prospective buyers to see its potential while also making the rooms appear more spacious. It costs nothing but time and effort to declutter a home but it can make all the difference. Sort through each room in your home and get rid of anything you no longer need. Go ahead and pack any items you don’t use every day such as out of season clothing, extra toys, seasonal items, and all of those bulky countertop appliances. This leaves plenty of room to neatly organize your belongings. Decluttering is perhaps the cheapest and most effective way to make your home look and feel inviting.

Stage Your Home

Studies have shown that staged homes tend to sell much faster and for more money than those that are not staged. While you may think your furniture is just fine, buyers may find it hard to see all that your home has to offer. Furniture placement can make a huge difference in the way a home looks and feels. Simply removing or regrouping furniture can make a room look more spacious. Clean linens, simple furnishings, and neutral decor is ideal when it comes to staging a home. You want to keep the home as neutral as possible so it appeals to a larger group of buyers. In addition, you want buyers to be able to picture how they could use the space themselves. That’s why it is important to create conversation areas, dining space, and cozy nooks wherever possible. Whether you rent furniture or work with what you already have,hiring a professional stager is much cheaper than making expensive renovations and it can help your home sell much faster.

Spruce Up the Exterior

Curb appeal is so important when it comes to selling a home. Think of it as your home’s first impression. The first thing a prospective buyer will see is the exterior of your home, so you want to wow them right from the start. There are plenty of simple and inexpensive things you can do to spruce up your home’s exterior in a weekend. Start by mowing the yard, cleaning out the flower beds, and trimming the bushes. A new or freshly painted mailbox and front door can also breathe new life into your entryway. Repair or replace outdoor light fixtures, add new house numbers, and plant a few potted flowers by the front entrance. Finally, top it all off with a welcoming doormat and a door wreath to add just the right amount of charm.

Go with Neutral Paint

A new coat of paint can work wonders when it comes to freshening up your home. As mentioned before, it’s always best to stick with neutral colors, as this will appear to a larger pool of buyers. Now is the time to paint your daughter’s purple bedroom and cover up that accent wall in your dining room. Choose a neutral palette and carry it throughout the entire home. Consider neutral shades of gray, beige, cream, or white to create a space that is clean and fresh. This will give your home the look of a brand-new interior that will