A Step Further

• Touch up scuffed paint or, even better, invest in a full paint job. It’s amazing the difference a few cans of paint can make. Freshening up interior paint with light, neutral colors, especially in main rooms, is perhaps the most cost-effective improvement a seller can make.

• Get a thorough, professional cleaning of the entire house, including carpets, hardwood floors and windows. The kitchen and bathrooms, in particular, should look pristine for all showings.

• Make small fixes like replacing broken windows, old light-switch plates and leaky faucets.

• Consider bigger bathroom updates like reglazing sinks and bathtubs, and fresh grout.

• New kitchen countertops and appliances can instantly update one of the most important rooms in the home without having to invest in new cabinetry.