If you want to get a home sold quickly and inexpensively, you should review these sales and design tips.

Then just prioritise only what’s needed most, compared to what competing houses offer … and of course consider the cost.

1. Add power outlets with USB ports in rooms that lack them, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms where they’re most needed. Younger, more tech-savvy couples people love them.
2. Eliminate acoustic popcorn-style ceilings since they look dated and tacky.
3. Remove exposed posts and half walls. Today’s buyers want more space, and partial walls and posts gobble up room. The only walls that should remain are those that offer privacy or conceal electrical wires or plumbing stacks.
4. Update wiring for the Internet and flat-screen TVs. You don’t have to run CAT-5 through walls, which can be costly and require opening and closing and repainting walls. Instead, find a place to put a wireless router.
5. Clean carpets and wood floors since they’re often the first part of a room that buyers check out; you don’t need to replace them unless they’re in terrible shape. A good carpet steam cleaning or wood floor waxing can be relatively inexpensive.
6. Expand a small kitchen to make it work better and look larger. 2 quick fixes: Change the backsplash by adding mirrors, stainless steel, or paint, which will introduce light and views; and add an island, which requires only 30” between counters and the island to pass through comfortably. If there’s not enough room for an island, bring in a rolling cart with pull-out shelves underneath and a wood top.
7. Clear out and clean the garage, a big selling feature. Power wash the floor or paint it if it’s in bad shape, remove dated cabinets, and remove all junk that’s been stored there, so prospects can see how much space they would have for their stuff.
8. Change out corroded or dented door knobs and levers. The replacements don’t have to be expensive but they should look new and clean.
9. Pay attention to landscaping, which can add 7% to 15% to a home’s value. Focus on mowing grass, removing crab grass, and eliminating dead plants and tree branches. I’d rather have dirt and the potential to paint a picture for the buyers’ mind than a backyard full of dead plants. But if you have extra funds, consider these ideas: Add lots of seasonal colour through blooming annuals and perennial plants, and remove problems like too much noise from traffic or neighbours, by installing an inexpensive fountain with trickling water.
10. Paint exterior windows, doors, gutters, downspouts and trim, then go inside and paint the home’s trim, doorways, and walls that are in need of freshening. Don’t worry about the colours but consider those that veer toward quiet and comfort such as Benjamin Moore’s Yosemite Sand, Edgecomb Gray, or Carrington Beige. Painting rooms other, lighter colours such as white, yellow, and beige help to bounce and reflect sunlight and use more natural and less artificial light. And don’t forget ceilings, which can be a “fifth wall.” You can improve them off-white or very light with paint.
11. Remove outdated wallpaper, replacing it with paint and preferably a neutral colour.
12. Remove, store, or discard excessive accessories on tabletops and walls and in cabinets. Less is more, and you want the house to be seen by prospective buyers without the distraction of too many personal items. Some suggest following the rule of 3: Leave out only three things on any surface.
13. Get the house inspected before it’s listed to know its condition and identify any structural issues that could derail sales. Many problems can’t be detected by an untrained eye, including those in a basement, crawl space, or attic. There might be roof damage or a plumbing leak. Many inspectors take photos and provide a detailed report. If home owners have repairs made, they should be handled by a qualified contractor,or handyman.
14. Outfit closets for extra storage to make rooms look larger and less cluttered, but don’t re-do all closets elaborately. Top contenders for re-dos are an entry closet for a good first impression, kitchen pantries where storage is key, and a linen closet to keep sheets, towels, and other stuff neat. The costs needn’t be excessive. A linen closet can be fitted with baskets and cubbies for between $500 and $600, an entry closet for between $400 and $700, each dependent on closet size and features.
15. Tighten a home’s “envelope” to improve energy efficiency and savings. Put money and effort into well-insulated double-paned windows, sealed furnace ducts, energy-efficient appliances, the newest programmable thermostats, (Nest is best), LED and compact fluorescent lights, and a smart irrigation box on a sprinkler to cut water usage. After a few months, sellers can show buyers how costs have dropped. They also could put together a green manual to show which features they added.
16. Improve a home’s healthfulness by using paints and adhesives with low or no VOCs. Point out these changes to prospective buyers in another list or manual.
17. Use what you have, and arrange each room in a conversational way if possible. Don’t set all furnishings in a family room so they face a TV, since most potential buyers like the idea of an open-room milieu for socialising.
18. Remove and replaced faded draperies, fabrics, and rugs, or leave windows and floors bare to avoid showing lack of attention. Slipcovers, which can cover worn furniture can also provide an affordable decorative feature, changed for each season. Slipcovers usually range from $50 to $200, depending on fabric and treatment.
19. Replace old, dated, or worn bedding. Before any showing, fluff up pillows and covers, and make all beds neatly. Affordable choices can be found at stores like Target and websites like Overstock.com.
20. Toss out old magazines. You don’t want a People magazine from a year ago; it looks like nobody lives in the house or cares.
21. Check smells regularly. Besides getting rid of bad odors from pets and mildew, introduce nice fresh fragrances, but don’t go heavy on scents from candles. A light linen or citrus spray is smart and inoffensive. Open windows before showings to bring in fresh air.
22. Make rooms lighter and larger for showings with good lighting. Warm, cool colours rather than fluorescents.
23. Go with plants rather than flowers indoors since they last longer, but either choice can add vivacity to a room.
24. Pay attention to your bathrooms. Specifically, make sure you have freshly laundered towels, new soap in soap dishes, spotless mirrors, and no mildew in view.
25. Be sure your house is priced competitively with the current market and homes in your area. In most regions, it’s still the No. 1 fix to sell quickly. Go a bit under the market price, and you may even bring forth multiple offers that are higher than expected.