How To Get Your House Ready To Sell

• Improvement name

• Typical cost

• Expected value add

• ROI percentage

• Time to complete

• Why buyers care

Cost: $3,000-$8,000

Value Add: $5,000-$15,000

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

What to do:

• Paint or reface cabinets
• New hardware (pulls, knobs)
• Updated countertop (quartz or granite)
• Modern faucet
• Fresh backsplash
• Under-cabinet lighting

Why buyers care:

Kitchen is #1 decision factor. Fresh, updated kitchens signal "move-in ready" and justify premium pricing.

Calculate Your Kitchen Update Cost

Cost: $2,000-$5,000

Value Add: $4,000-$9,000

Timeline: 3-5 days

What to do:

• New vanity or reface existing
• Updated faucet and lighting
• Re-caulk tub/shower
• New mirror
• Fresh towels and accessories (staging)
• Deep clean grout

Why buyers care:

Bathrooms indicate maintenance quality. Updated bathrooms reduce "this needs work" concerns.

Calculate Your Bathroom Refresh Cost

Cost: $500-$2,000

Value Add: $3,000-$8,000

Timeline: 1-3 days

What to do:

• Professional landscaping cleanup
• Fresh mulch in beds
• Colorful flowers (seasonal)
• Power wash driveway, walkways, siding
• Paint front door (bold, welcoming color)
• New house numbers
• Outdoor lighting

Why buyers care:

First impression sets tone for entire showing. 94% of agents say curb appeal influences home value.

Cost: $2,500-$6,000 (whole house)

Value Add: $5,000-$12,000

Timeline: 3-5 days

What to do:

• Neutral colors (grays, beiges, whites)
• Cover bold accent walls
• Touch up trim and doors
• Repair any wall damage first
• Professional job (clean lines)

Why buyers care:

Fresh paint = well-maintained. Neutral colors help buyers envision their belongings. #1 most impactful cosmetic update.

Calculate Your Interior Painting Cost

Cost: $2,000-$6,000

Value Add: $3,000-$9,000

Timeline: 2-4 days

What to do:

• Replace worn carpet (living, bedrooms)
• Refinish hardwood (if dated/damaged)
• Luxury vinyl plank in kitchens/baths
• Ensure consistency throughout the main level

Why buyers care:

Flooring condition highly visible. Worn flooring signals deferred maintenance, triggers lowball offers.

Calculate Your Flooring Cost

Cost: $800-$2,500

Value Add: $1,500-$4,000

Timeline: 1-2 days

What to do:

• Replace dated fixtures (brass, outdated styles)
• Install dimmer switches
• Add recessed lighting (dark areas)
• Upgrade to LED bulbs (bright, energy-efficient)
• Ensure every room is well-lit

Why buyers care:

Bright homes feel larger, newer, and more inviting. Dark homes feel dated and small.

Cost: $500-$2,000

Value Add: $1,000-$4,000

Timeline: 1-2 days

What to do:

• Fix leaky faucets
• Repair running toilets
• Replace outdated outlets/switches
• Fix any tripped breakers
• Address flickering lights
• Ensure all outlets work

Why buyers care:

Small issues signal bigger problems. Buyers fear hidden electrical/plumbing issues; fixable problems become negotiating leverage.

Cost: $150-$500

Value Add: $1,000-$3,000

Timeline: Same day

What to do:

• Professional HVAC inspection
• Replace air filters
• Clean ducts (if needed)
• Service report for buyers
• Consider warranty transfer

Why buyers care:

HVAC condition is the top inspection concern. Service records prove maintenance, reducing buyer anxiety.

Check Your Home's HVAC Impact on PICO Score

Cost: $500-$2,500

Value Add: $2,000-$5,000

Timeline: 1 day

What to do:

• Professional roof inspection
• Replace damaged/missing shingles
• Repair flashing
• Clean gutters
• Inspection report for buyers

Why buyers care:

Roof replacement = $8K-$25K. Inspection report with clean bill of health removes major buyer concern.

Calculate Roof Repair Costs

Cost: $500-$2,000

Value Add: $5,000-$20,000

Timeline: 1-3 days

What to do:

• Professional deep clean
• Declutter and depersonalize
• Arrange furniture to maximize space
• Remove excess furniture (rent storage)
• Fresh flowers, neutral decor
• Fix any odors (pets, cooking, smoke)

Why buyers care:

Staged homes sell 88% faster and for 5-15% more. Clean, neutral spaces help buyers envision themselves living there.

Find Professional Stagers in Your Area

Your PICO Score (Property Intelligence for Condition Optimization) directly impacts buyer financing, appraisals, and negotiating power.

The PICO Advantage for Sellers:

Poor PICO Score (40-60/100):

• Buyers struggle with financing (lenders flag condition concerns)
• Appraisals come in 5-12% below the asking price
• Buyers request $5K-$25K in seller concessions
• Average 90+ days on market
• Accept lowball offers due to limited buyer pool

Good PICO Score (70-85/100):

• Buyer financing is smooth (lenders approve easily)
• Appraisals at or above asking price
• Minimal repair requests
• Average 28-42 days on market
• Multiple offer scenarios are common

Example Scenario:

Home: $425,000 asking price

Current PICO Score: 52/100 (outdated kitchen, old HVAC, worn flooring)

Without PrepToSell:

• Appraisal: $395,000 (7% below asking)
• Buyer offers: $390,000-$400,000
• Buyer-requested repairs: $8,000-$15,000
• Net proceeds: ~$382,000-$392,000

With PrepToSell ($12,000 investment):

• Kitchen update: $5,000
• HVAC service + new filter: $300
• Flooring replacement: $4,000
• Paint + repairs: $2,700
• New PICO Score: 78/100

After PrepToSell:

• Appraisal: $440,000 (includes improvement value)
• Buyer offers: $435,000-$445,000
• Buyer-requested repairs: $0-$2,000
• Net proceeds: ~$433,000-$443,000

Net Gain: $41,000-$51,000 (on $12,000 investment)

ROI: 342-425%

Check Your Home's PICO Score Now

• 1. Swimming Pool Installation (ROI: 0-40%)

  Cost: $30K-$70K | Many buyers see it as a liability (maintenance, safety concern)

• 2. High-End Luxury Kitchen (ROI: 50-65%)

  Cost: $40K-$80K | Over-improvement for neighborhood

• 3. Major Landscaping Overhaul (ROI: 30-50%)

  Cost: $8K-$20K | Basic curb appeal sufficient

• 4. Home Office Addition (ROI: 40-55%)

  Cost: $8K-$25K | Not universally valued post-pandemic

• 5. Converting Bedroom to Specialty Room (ROI: 0-30%)

  Reduces functional bedroom count: hurts more than helps

• 6. Extensive Personalization (ROI: Negative)

  Bold colors and unique fixtures reduce the buyer pool

• 7. Unpermitted Work (ROI: Massively negative)

  Can kill sales, require a tear-out, and legal issues

  
  

Key Principle: Focus on improvements that appeal to the WIDEST buyer pool, not your personal preferences.

Timeline 1: Selling in 1-2 Weeks (Emergency Sale)

Total Budget: $500-$2,000

Focus: Critical items only

Must-Do:

• Deep cleaning ($300-$600)
• Minor repairs (leaks, fixtures) ($300-$800)
• Declutter & light staging ($200-$500)
• Curb appeal quick-fix ($200-$500)

Skip Everything Else

Timeline 2: Selling in 1 Month

Total Budget: $2,500-$8,000

Focus: High-impact, quick projects

Must-Do:

• Deep cleaning + staging ($500-$1,500)
• Interior paint (high-traffic) ($1,500-$3,500)
• Minor repairs ($500-$1,500)
• Curb appeal ($500-$1,500)
• HVAC service ($150-$300)

Consider:

• Bathroom refresh ($2,000-$3,000) if critical

Timeline 3: Selling in 2-3 Months (Ideal)

Total Budget: $5,000-$15,000

Focus: Strategic high-ROI improvements

Must-Do:

• All Timeline 2 items
• Kitchen update ($3,000-$8,000)
• Bathroom refresh ($2,000-$5,000)
• Flooring (high-traffic) ($2,000-$5,000)
• Lighting upgrades ($800-$2,000)

Consider

• Minor exterior painting if needed

Timeline 4: Selling in 4-6 Months

Total Budget: $8,000-$25,000

Focus: Comprehensive preparation

All Previous Items Plus:

• Complete interior paint ($2,500-$6,000)
• Flooring replacement (entire main level) ($4,000-$10,000)
• Exterior paint/siding repair ($3,000-$8,000)
• Roof repairs/inspection ($500-$2,500)
• Landscape enhancement ($1,000-$3,000)

Why use Kukun Contractor Finder:

• Licensed & insured verified
• Customer ratings & reviews
• Multiple quotes (compare 3-5 contractors)
• Pre-sale specialists (understand urgency)
• Fast scheduling (priority for selling homeowners)

Process:

• Select your improvement project
• Get matched with 3-5 local contractors
• Review profiles, ratings, and past work
• Request quotes
• Compare and hire
• Complete work on your timeline

Find Contractors for Your PrepToSell Projects

Case Study 1:

"We invested $9,500 in kitchen updates and paint. Our home sold in 18 days for $47,000 over asking. Best ROI we've ever gotten."

Sarah & Mike T., Denver, CO

Investment: $9,500 | Return: $47,000 | ROI: 495%

Case Study 2:

"PrepToSell helped us prioritize. We spent $4,200 on the right improvements instead of $20K on the wrong ones. Sold in 25 days."

Jennifer K., Austin, TX

Investment: $4,200 | Return: $18,000 | ROI: 429%

Case Study 3:

"Checking our PICO Score showed us the HVAC was killing our value. $2,800 investment brought $12,000 more at closing."

Robert & Linda S., Atlanta, GA

Investment: $2,800 | Return: $12,000 | ROI: 429%

1. How much should I spend on pre-sale improvements?

General rule: 1-3% of home value for strategic improvements. For a $400K home, budget $4K-$12K. Focus on high-ROI projects (kitchen, bathrooms, paint, curb appeal) that return 70-100%+ of cost.

2. Which improvements give the best ROI?

Top 5 by ROI:

• Deep cleaning & staging (400-600% ROI)
• Interior paint (100-120% ROI)
• Minor kitchen update (85-95% ROI)
• Minor electrical/plumbing repairs (90-110% ROI)
• Curb appeal enhancement (75-100% ROI)

3. Should I do improvements myself or hire contractors?

Hire contractors for:

• Electrical work (required licensing, safety)
• Plumbing (avoid leaks, code compliance)
• HVAC (technical, warranty concerns)
• Structural work (permits, engineering)
• Any work visible to buyers (quality matters)

Consider DIY for:

• Painting (if experienced, have time)
• Basic cleaning/decluttering
• Landscaping (basic maintenance)

Key: Poor DIY work reduces value. Professional quality signals "well-maintained home."

4. How far in advance should I start preparing my home?

Ideal timeline: 2-3 months before listing

• Allows time for strategic improvements
• No rushed decisions
• Can schedule contractors properly
• Can stage and photograph when complete

Minimum: 2-4 weeks (focus on critical items only)

5. Will improvements help my home sell faster?

Yes. Data shows:

• Prepared homes sell 60% faster (28 days vs. 70 days)
• Staged homes sell 88% faster
• Homes with fresh paint sell 50% faster
• Updated kitchens/bathrooms reduce average days on market by 40-50%

6. What if I don't have the budget for improvements?

Focus on these low-cost, high-impact items:

• Deep cleaning ($300-$600) - 400-600% ROI
• Decluttering & basic staging ($200-$500)
• Minor repairs ($300-$800)
• Curb appeal ($200-$800)
• Fresh paint (one room at a time) ($200-$500/room)

Total minimum: $1,200-$3,200 for meaningful impact

7. Should I update to my personal taste or neutral?

Always neutral. Bold colors, unique fixtures, and personal style reduce buyer pool.

• Paint: Grays, whites, beiges
• Fixtures: Brushed nickel, chrome (not brass, oil-rubbed bronze)
• Flooring: Wood, neutral tile, neutral carpet
• Counters: Granite, quartz in neutral tones

Buyers want to envision THEIR style, not live with yours.

8. Do I need a home inspection before listing?

Highly recommended. Pre-listing inspection ($400-$600) helps you:

• Discover issues before buyers do
• Address problems on your timeline/budget
• Reduce negotiation leverage for buyers
• Show transparency (builds trust)
• Avoid surprises during buyer inspection

Typical ROI: 200-400% (avoids $2K-$10K in buyer-requested repairs)

9. How does my home's condition affect buyer financing?

Critical impact. Lenders assess property condition via PICO Score:

• Poor condition (PICO 40-60): FHA/VA may require repairs before closing, and buyers struggle with financing
• Good condition (PICO 70-85): Smooth financing, better loan terms
• Excellent condition (PICO 85+): Premium financing terms, faster closing

Buyer financing falls through on 15-20% of homes with poor condition scores.

10. Can PrepToSell guarantee I'll get my money back?

While no one can guarantee real estate outcomes, data shows:

• Average ROI on strategic pre-sale improvements: 70-110%
• Homes prepared using PrepToSell recommendations sell for 8-15% more
• 92% of PrepToSell users report "met or exceeded" ROI expectations

Your results depend on:

• Local market conditions
• Quality of work
• Pricing strategy
• Timing