--- title: How Small Pre-Sale Mistakes Cost NYC Sellers Thousands description: Preparing to sell your home? Here are a few simple things to do before selling your house that can potentially add $10,000 or more to the sales price. image: https://www.undividedre.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/67052bb5032371d022cd7d78_VALUE-2.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.undividedre.com/blog/this-500-mistake-may-cost-you-10-000-when-its-time-to-sell#main-content) [![Logo](https://44624939.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44624939/raw_assets/public/undivided-theme-by-tam/images/modules/undivided.png)](https://www.undividedre.com/) - [Home](https://www.undividedre.com/) - [About Us](https://www.undividedre.com/about-us) - Advisory Buying Selling - [Neighborhoods](https://www.undividedre.com/neighborhood) - [Value Index](https://www.undividedre.com/value-index) Contacts 175 Greenwich St, 38th Flr New York, NY 10007 [hello@undividedre.com](mailto:hello@undividedre.com) [+1.646.631.2220](tel:+16466312220) ![Youtube](//44624939.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44624939/raw_assets/public/undivided-theme-by-tam/images/modules/hero/youtube.png) ![Instagram](//44624939.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44624939/raw_assets/public/undivided-theme-by-tam/images/modules/hero/instagram.png) ![Linkedin](//44624939.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44624939/raw_assets/public/undivided-theme-by-tam/images/modules/hero/linkedin.png) [Book a strategy call](https://www.undividedre.com/schedule-an-appointment) [Book a strategy call](https://www.undividedre.com/schedule-an-appointment) [All posts](https://www.undividedre.com/blog/all) September 30, 2024 # This $500 Mistake May Cost You $10,000+ When It's Time to Sell   Admin  ·  3 minute read Ready to [sell your home](https://www.undividedre.com/blog/10-signs-you-should-sell-your-home)? Before you list the property, it's wise to do a bit of basic prep work to ensure you get the best offer possible. Even if you're in a hurry or on a tight budget and don't have money for expensive upgrades or renovations, there are a few simple things to do before selling your house that cost less than $500 but can potentially add $10,000 or more to the sales price. So, before you rush to put it on the market, here are a few inexpensive ways to get your house ready to sell. ‍ > Thinking about selling your home? By using our premium sales system, you can consider your home as good as sold. Contact us today at [hello@undividedre.com](mailto:hello@undividedre.com) to get started.‍ ![Interior of a condo with two floors](https://www.undividedre.com/hs-fs/hubfs/livingroom.jpg?width=1200&height=800&name=livingroom.jpg) #### Declutter Like You're Weeding a Garden Before selling your house, the first thing to do is eliminate any unnecessary clutter. Think about your home as a garden. It may be full of beautiful flowers, but if it's also overrun by weeds, that’s all anyone will pay attention to. Clutter can be a distraction from the home's most impressive attributes and lead potential buyers to focus on the negatives instead of the positives.  A tidy home feels spacious and valuable. Clutter often gives the impression that the space is smaller than it actually is, so by removing unnecessary items, you can create the sense that the space is much larger and more comfortable.  Clutter can also give off the impression that the place is not well maintained, which may make the buyer second guess whether they're making a wise investment. Structurally, the house could be in perfect condition. But if it's full of junk and unorganized personal belongings, buyers may start to question whether the messiness is a sign of a deeper issue. Finally, too many personal belongings in the home will make it harder for potential buyers to picture themselves living there. A cluttered space may make them question whether their furniture would fit and doubt whether the space could accommodate their lifestyle. So, if you want to avoid making a bad impression, declutter as much as possible when [preparing to sell your home](https://www.undividedre.com/blog/why-do-some-homes-sell-within-hours-and-others-take-months). The best part is it doesn't cost a dime.   ![paintingPhoto of a person painting an interior wall](https://www.undividedre.com/hs-fs/hubfs/painting.jpg?width=1200&height=800&name=painting.jpg)‍ #### Grab a Paintbrush Painting is another one of the most essential things to do before selling your home. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, a fresh paint job is a relatively inexpensive upgrade that can go a long way toward increasing the value of potential offers. A fresh neutral coat of paint will make the home feel modern and new. Statistics show that painting a house will add value. According to[HomeLight](https://www.homelight.com/blog/should-i-repaint-my-house-before-selling/#:~:text=Repainting%20interior%20walls%20increases%20home,increase%20in%20value%20by%20%2420%2C000.), repainting the interior walls when you prepare a home to sell can increase the value by an average of 5% and nets an ROI of 107%. So, if the home is worth $1 million, a fresh coat of interior paint will increase the home value by $50,000. You should absolutely repaint your house before selling if it's anything other than a neutral color. Even if it fits your personal tastes, it will be harder to find a buyer if the color is too harsh. A[study by home remodeling site Fixr.com](https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/colors-to-avoid-when-selling-a-home) found that the most off-putting colors for interior house paintings are red (51%), lime green (53%), bright yellow (40%), mustard yellow (19%), pink (10%) and turquoise (9%). Warm neutrals like beige and white are recommended by 61% of experts. So, covering any unusual colors with a fresh, neutral coat of paint is one of the best investments you can make before listing your home. ‍ #### Spend a Weekend Deep Cleaning Finally, spending a weekend doing a deep house cleaning before selling is another wise decision that will pay off in the long run. Dirt, dust, and unpleasant odors can be a major turn-off for buyers and will make the home appear far less valuable than it actually is. When preparing to sell your house, take a weekend and do a deep clean to ensure that you present it in the best light possible. Start with the windows. Natural light can be a major selling point but you won't be able to reap the benefits if the windows are covered in dirt and grime. Next, you'll want to pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom. The fridge, especially, is a common source of foul odors that might make potential buyers run away in disgust. Also, don't forget to spend some time outdoors. It may be worthwhile to consider power washing the exterior or tidying up the walkway if you want to make a good first impression. Even if you don't consider yourself particularly messy, a pre-sale house cleaning is never a bad idea if you want to get the [best offer possible](https://www.undividedre.com/blog/sell-your-home-for-more-than-list-price-with-this-proven-strategy).   ![Person deep cleaning a surface with gloves and disinfectant ](https://www.undividedre.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cleaning.jpg?width=1200&height=800&name=cleaning.jpg)‍   Thinking about selling your home? By using our premium sales system, you can consider your home as good as sold. We leverage cutting-edge technology, innovative marketing strategies, and streamlined pathways to help sellers get top dollar for their homes. Paired with our industry expertise and first-class service, we help sellers achieve their real estate goals faster without all the hassles. Contact us today to get started. ## Ready to Get Started? [Schedule Your Free Consultation](https://www.undividedre.com/schedule-an-appointment) ### Here's what you'll get: ✓ Curated Listings We handpick properties that fit you, saving you time by showing homes that match what you want. ✓ Luxury Amenities We highlight top-tier amenities so your new home delivers the prestige and quality you expect. ✓ Market insights We provide detailed market comps and insights to guide your decision-making with confidence and clarity. 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