You’ve made the bold decision to sell your property, but is it ready to be listed? As they say, first impressions are lasting impressions, so your listing should highlight the very best your home has to offer! Renovating your house can add value, which will help garner more interest from prospective buyers.

Keep reading to learn six repairs you should make before listing your home.

1. Finish the Unfinished

One survey shows that 78% of millennial homebuyers are looking for move-in ready properties. Keeping this in mind, you should prioritize finishing those small repairs you’ve been putting off for years. The key is to focus on the minor projects that leave a room looking unfinished.

Patch your walls, add hardware and paint trim where needed. Skip refinishing your garage or basement, as those projects can be costly and time-consuming.

2. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint breathes new life into any space. This is one of the most inexpensive ways to update your house quickly. If you feel comfortable DIYing, this repair will only cost your time and the supplies.

Buyers prefer neutral colors that will match their furniture. Lighter colors will make a room feel bigger and brighter, giving buyers the impression of a larger area.

3. Repair Water Stains and Leaks

Water stains are an indication of potentially costly problems. Buying a new home is expensive, and thoughts about plumbing repairs or roof replacements will scare potential buyers. Erase the concern from their minds by repairing water damage before making the listing.

If you know there’s a leaky pipe, fix it now before it gets flagged during the inspection. Over time, that leak can lead to a burst pipe and cause extensive damage to the property.

4. Erase Pet Damage

When a potential buyer sees damage from pets, warning bells immediately start going off. If there are scratches on the doors, will there be necessary repairs in other rooms? Did the pet use the bathroom in the house? These questions cause buyers to look even closer for signs of neglect.

If you clean your home and repair signs of pet damage, you stop these thoughts before they begin. If there aren’t apparent indications of animal life, people will pay less attention to scrutinizing your house for details and signs of neglect. Consider taking it one step further by removing pet beds and toys before taking photos or offering a home showing.

Most repairs should be minimal, which will keep you within a repair budget. To maximize value, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner rather than replacing the entirety of your flooring.

5. Refresh Your Kitchen

Kitchens are the heart of any home, so it should feel fresh and inviting. Rather than remodeling the entire space, look for small ways to make a massive impact. For instance, repainting cabinets can breathe new life into a room. Changing the cabinet hardware and sink faucet are two more ways to make a big statement without a high price tag.

If you decide to take it a step further and update the backsplash or countertops, remember to stick to neutral colors. The key is to appear to as many buyers as possible, so avoid any materials that could be polarizing.

6. Revive Your Bathroom

At a minimum, bathrooms should feel functional and comfortable. When a prospective buyer views your photos, you want them to picture themselves in the space. Instead of planning a massive overhaul, concentrate on reviving the area.

Paint can go a long way, but did you know it’s possible to refinish tiles? You can refinish your tub and tile shower, so it looks sparkling clean and brand new. This repair is simple to do yourself and much cheaper than buying a new tub or shower surround.

Many bathrooms tend to feel small and dark, so focus your budget on updating the space’s light fixtures. Lighting can create the illusion of a larger area, so when combined with updated paint and a refinished shower, your bathroom can go from feeling drab to fab.

Make It Picture Perfect

Keep in mind that pictures often reveal more than the description you provide. Take the time to complete these six repairs before listing your property. When you’re ready, the photos will shine, and you’ll receive much more interest than if you’d left it unfinished.