Home Buyers Will Notice These Quick Property Upgrades
About this video
If you’re preparing to sell your home in the Twin Cities metro area, knowing what buyers are looking for can make all the difference. In this video, we’re breaking down the top 3 low-cost improvements sellers can make inside their home to attract buyers, sell faster, and potentially increase sale price.
01:41 #1 Declutter + Depersonalize (Start Packing Early) 03:32 #2 Fresh Neutral Paint (Why Credits Don’t Work) 06:30 #3 Kitchens & Baths: Deep Clean + Simple Updates (Plus Flooring Tip)
Key takeaways
- Jason and Brooke Huerkamp share low-cost ways to prepare a home's interior for sale. Buyers want move-in ready, so fixing things beats offering a credit; like a dirty truck on the lot, a home that needs work gets mentally discounted.
- 1: declutter and depersonalize. Start packing early, remove family photos and clear about half of what's in closets and cupboards. Store boxes in a pod or the garage, leaving room to park at least one car.
- 2: paint in fresh, neutral colors and fix nicks. Materials for a 3,000-square-foot home run under about $1,000; a painter costs roughly $6,000 to $7,500, and the return is usually worth it.
- 3: focus on kitchens and baths: deep clean, update dated fixtures and cabinet pulls, and add new towels, shower curtains and bedding you'd buy for your next home anyway.
- 4: flooring: restretch loose carpet (Jason paid about $400 for seven areas), refinish hardwood floors, or replace worn flooring with luxury vinyl plank. The team has preferred vendors and interior designers to help.
Questions this video answers
Should I offer a credit instead of painting before selling?
Usually not. Buyers respond to a move-in-ready first impression and tend to discount a home that needs work by more than the credit. Fresh, neutral paint often pays for itself.
What's the cheapest way to get my house ready to sell?
Declutter and depersonalize first, then paint in neutral colors, deep clean the kitchen and baths, and restretch or refresh flooring where needed.
Read more: Sell your home · Selling a longtime home · Downsizing checklist
Notes written by Huerkamp Home Group from this video. Figures are as stated in the video on June 10, 2025; check the current numbers in our market reports.
