7 Smart Investments to Get Top Dollar for Your Home Sale

Preparation is everything.

When listing your home in a competitive market, being ready for a wide range of buyers' expectations isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. After all, buyers are the ones who ultimately decide what sells.

It’s no secret in real estate: The homes that show the best sell the fastest—and for the highest price. Getting your home into top showing condition isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategy (assuming you want the best outcome).

To put it simply…

From a buyer’s perspective, the overall touring experience—how a home feels—matters just as much as the neighborhood, school district, or number of bedrooms. Those features may have drawn them in, but first impressions? They seal the deal. And those first few moments inside your home can directly impact your ability to get a top-dollar offer.

So, the real question is: How can sellers create the best experience for buyers without breaking the bank—while ensuring a strong return on investment?

After countless sales and collaborating with hundreds of agents, these are the seven best strategies to do just that.

1. Deep Cleaning

As simple as it sounds, having a thoroughly cleaned house is critical to giving the buyer a positive showing experience. Unfortunately, this is an often missed step by many sellers.

If two identical cars were for sale on the lot, the one that was perfectly detailed—versus the one that had never been properly cleaned—would sell first and for a better price. Yet I’ve toured several homes with dirt and grime in every room, which inevitably sends loud, unpleasant signals to prospective buyers.

Action Step: Spend the time and money to have a top-to-bottom housecleaning done days prior to going on the market. No matter what, do not allow a buyer to see anything other than a fully detailed home in its best condition starting on day one.

2. Painting

This is also a big deal.

Fresh paint sells houses. Period. Having a house painted one or, in rare cases, two neutral colors prior to listing will make a world of difference during the showing experience.

This should include fresh white paint on the ceilings and trim, too. The goal should be to allow a buyer to navigate through the showing experience without noticing the paint. By having one bright neutral color on the walls, you allow a buyer’s attention to remain on the overall space and features of the property.

I’ve been in a number of homes where there is a yellow dining room, red kitchen, and a baby blue family room—all on the same floor. Multiple colors may have been your preference while living there. But to a buyer, it is distracting and probably not to their taste.

Action Step: Neutralize the walls to optimize your space and allow for a comfortable showing experience. By picking a lighter neutral color, you will automatically brighten the house, which is always a good thing.

3. Declutter & Depersonalize

It’s as simple as it sounds—get rid of stuff.

Having been in thousands of properties, I can say that most people live with way too many belongings in their homes. Unfortunately, when it comes time to court the potential buyer, having too much stuff in your home is a major liability to the showing experience.

For context, think about how home builders present a model home. They maintain furniture in the rooms and clothes in the closets—but just enough to show off the space and allow the buyer’s imagination to take over. The closets have five blouses and pants hanging on the racks—not piles of clothes jammed in every square inch.

Action Step:

• Go through each room and decide what pieces of furniture to remove to open up the space.

• Pack up everything you won’t need for the next 90 days.

• Use this as an opportunity to simplify your life and prepare for your move.

4. Flooring

If you have older carpets or weathered wood floors, it would be a great idea to invest in new carpets or refinish the wood.

In both cases, you are looking at no more than a few dollars per square foot. But along with everything else, pristine floors make a huge difference in the showing experience.

5. Landscaping & Curb Appeal

First impressions start before buyers step inside.

Having a freshly manicured yard with new mulch and seasonal flowers will add instant curb appeal. Investing in what is best classified as a yard “tune-up” is an excellent way to sparkle from the moment buyers pull up to your home.

6. Handyman Repairs

Buyers notice everything.

Details such as loose doorknobs, dripping faucets, and outdated caulk can raise concerns about maintenance. These minor issues may seem insignificant, but they add up in a buyer’s mind.

Action Step:

• Have a professional handyman come through and knock out a punch list of repairs before your home hits the market.

• This will send positive signals to buyers and save you money on the home inspection.

7. Staging for Maximum Impact

Bringing in a design professional is a great way to add wow factor to your home.

Strategically placed furniture and thoughtful rearrangement of your living spaces can enhance the overall flow and make your home feel bigger and more inviting.

The Bottom Line

After selling lots of homes one thing is clear: Every property—no matter how “move-in ready”—benefits from some level of pre-market preparation.

I’ve found that sellers often hesitate because of cost or logistics (let’s be honest, it’s not always a fun to-do list). But these seven investments can make a huge difference in both sale price and time on market—which is why I always say, “Eye on the prize, not the pain.”

In a competitive market, a well-prepared home stands out just as much as a well-priced one.

Focus your time and resources wisely, and you’ll be rewarded with a faster sale and a stronger offer.