Cheap or Free Improvements to Do Before Selling Your Austin Home

Use this low-cost seller checklist to boost photos, showings, and offers across Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Leander, and Georgetown.

Getting your home market-ready doesn’t require a remodel. A focused weekend on the right details will make rooms read brighter in photos and feel cleaner at showings. Start with the big visual wins below, then work toward small fixes that signal “well cared for.”

1) Declutter Every Room

Think “hotel neat.” Edit counters, nightstands, and open shelving so only a couple of intentional pieces remain. In closets, remove a third of clothing so hangers slide easily; box the rest now and stack neatly in the garage or a hall closet. Entryways and garages should feel open and navigable—buyers equate clear floors with good storage.

2) Deep Clean Top to Bottom

Shine sells online. Clean glass, windows, mirrors, and stainless so they sparkle; edge-vacuum baseboards; and wipe switches and door trim. If you have carpet, a single pass with a rental cleaner freshens high-traffic areas for little cost. Keep scents neutral—open windows for an hour pre-photos rather than masking with heavy fragrance.

3) Patch, Paint & Neutralize

Fill nail holes, sand scuffs, and touch up trim. If a room has a bold color or uneven touch-ups, one light warm-neutral coat can transform it. Photo-friendly choices include Swiss Coffee or Alabaster for soft whites, and Pale Oak or Agreeable Gray for light greige. Updating a handful of visible knobs or pulls to black or brushed nickel modernizes a space for under $50.

4) Boost Curb Appeal

The first ten seconds set the tone. Edge and mow the lawn, trim shrubs below the windowsill, refresh mulch, and power-wash the walkway. Clean or repaint the front door, then add crisp house numbers and a weatherproof mat. A simple planter at the entry adds color without clutter.

5) Fix the Little Things

Small issues invite big price requests. Tighten handles, silence squeaky hinges, replace cracked switch plates, stop drips and running toilets, and re-seat loose p-traps. Rehang sagging blinds and replace missing slats. These are ten-minute fixes that broadcast “well maintained.”

6) Let There Be Light

Bright, even light helps rooms photograph larger. Use daylight LEDs (3000–4000K) consistently; clean fixture globes; open blinds fully; and raise shades to the window frame. In dark corners, angle a lamp to bounce light off a wall rather than spotlighting the floor.

7) Freshen Bathrooms

Reset to “guest-ready.” Use white towels, a neutral shower curtain, and clear counters. Re-caulk stained edges, spot re-grout where needed, and polish the faucet and mirror. A small plant or soap tray is enough; hide personal items and cleaning tools.

Staging for the Camera (Do This Last)

Stand where each listing photo will be taken and remove anything that distracts in that frame—extra chairs, cords, drying racks, or floor baskets. Keep walkways open, balance furniture so the eye travels to windows, and repeat two or three complementary colors in throws and pillows to look cohesive on the MLS grid.

Next Steps

Want the three prep items most likely to move your price in Austin right now? Start with a quick estimate, then ask for a room-by-room plan tailored to your address.

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