Preparing a home for sale during a cost of living crisis is a costly but not impossible task.

Even if you are on a tight budget, you can significantly increase the value of your home with clever planning and a little creativity on the part of the seller.

“Many Australian homes are really comfortable, but many homeowners prefer functionality over looks,” says remodeling expert Cherie Barber, from the TV show Changing Rooms and founder of the Renovating for Profit course.

“It’s nice to live in a comfortable home, but when you’re looking to sell, it’s time for most homes to revamp their style.”

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Stop messing and clean

Although the atmosphere should be bearable, a disorganized and overcrowded impression goes too far.

“Clutter makes your rooms seem smaller and also blocks natural light,” says Barber. “Decluttering is the first step and costs you nothing. Then clean everything thoroughly by washing the walls, cleaning the windows, steaming the carpets and renting a pressure washer for the outside spaces. People often think their homes aren’t dirty, but often they are.”

A furnished home always makes a better impression than an empty one, but be selective about what stays standing during the marketing campaign.

“Large pieces of furniture cost a lot, so you certainly shouldn’t buy a new sofa just to sell a property. Keep what you have, but if your large pieces are quite dated or worn, consider adding soft furnishings. Buy some nice throws or even a bedspread to hang over your sofa, and then maybe add some inexpensive plants or rugs,” she says.

“Replace dark, heavy curtains with beautiful, light-diffusing curtains. It can make a big difference and is fairly inexpensive.”

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Successful styling is possible even on a small budget, says Barber, and recommends looking online for advice and tips.

“You really don’t need to resort to elaborate styling,” she says.

“Many people cannot imagine how a house or room can be used. That’s why they get ideas from the Internet – it’s free.”

“On my social media pages, I do lots of affordable, practical renovations and show the before and after. Get inspired by those who are already doing it.”

REPAIR AND MODIFICATION

A quick trip to the local hardware store and a lot of elbow grease can also be an inexpensive way to modernize something and make an impression.

“If it’s within your means, consider doing a good DIY paint job,” adds Barber.

“It doesn’t have to be the whole house, it can just be an accent wall – and you don’t have to hire a tradesman.

“Kitchens and bathrooms are the two rooms that buyers pay a lot of attention to because they are the most expensive to renovate. Think about fixing simple things like painting kitchen cabinets and replacing handles.”

Painting over outdated tiles with neutral colors can instantly add a modern touch to a room.

“Remove small mirrors and replace them with larger, inexpensive ones. Larger mirrors increase the feeling of space in the bathroom because they capture natural light.”

Even something as simple as changing a lightbulb can set the right tone, Barber adds.

“Lighting is really important when selling. If you have cool white globes in all the rooms, swap them for warm white globes to create a moody atmosphere.”

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Get your green thumb out

You only get one chance to make a good first impression, which is why gardening guru Charlie Albone recommends that the front yard is a good starting point for a green makeover.

“If you’re on a tight budget, focus on street appeal. If people drive up and don’t like the look of a place, they just won’t want to go in,” he explains.

The TV presenter and Stihl ambassador says an easy way to make your outdoor space more beautiful is to use the right tools.

“Mow the lawn, trim the hedges and make sure everything looks neat and tidy. A well-maintained garden looks like a garden that requires little maintenance, so it is very attractive to people with little time,” says Albone.

Through research and clever planning, you can beautify your garden inexpensively.

“Planting is not just about what looks nice. Think of it as a long-term project, even if you won’t be there. Choose the right plants for the right location, because the last thing you want is for them to die before they take root and you have to pay for replacements.”

A neutral attitude from the outside also pays off if the seller hopes to attract the largest group of buyers.

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“Don’t overdo it, keep it generic so you don’t polarize people with your color choice. Vanilla is best when you’re selling houses,” says Albone, adding that the best way to show off your homeliness is to use it in the garden.

“It’s important to have an outdoor entertaining area that suits your property and to design it with style. Don’t just leave it as an open space, that’s just as unattractive as showing a house without furniture.