What is the least expensive home improvement that yields the highest return on investment?

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Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA (Coldwell Banker Access Realty)

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Rainmaker
5,583,328

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I think it would be painting.... but select the right colors.... the eye buys.

Sep 23, 2015 12:59 AM

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2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
1,241,754

Sam Shueh

(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA

mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Unclutter, clean up followed by painting....

Sep 23, 2015 12:32 AM

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2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
1,513,143

Raymond E. Camp

Ontario, NY

The one that catches the buyers eye and is willing to pay to get it.

Otherwise Paint!

Sep 23, 2015 12:04 AM

Upvote

2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
1,664,236

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I always tell my clients paint is cheap. Just do it.

Sep 22, 2015 11:28 PM

Upvote

2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
921,504

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041

ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL

Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Besides getting creepy Uncle Eunice to go someplace else. paint is by far the highest ROI with the exception of clean, clean and clean.

Sep 22, 2015 11:06 PM

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2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
1,390,113

Wayne Zuhl

Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ

The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

1. Cleaning products and dumpsters to get rid of clutter make a lived in home look like a house someone would buy.

2. Paint can take a worn out tired building and make it look brand new.

Sep 22, 2015 10:46 PM

Upvote

2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
970,983

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I agree with paint.

Sep 22, 2015 10:45 PM

Upvote

2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
115,432

Jeanne Feenick

NextHome Premier - Basking Ridge, NJ

The Agent you choose REALLY does make a difference

Least expensive - biggest impact...paint!

Sep 22, 2015 10:22 PM

Upvote

2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
1,466,257

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Winston Heverly I would agree with a fresh coat of paint.

Sep 22, 2015 10:20 PM

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2

Michael Thacker - Re/M...

Louisville, KY
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
2,817,727

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Generally, ripping up carpet and refinishing hardwood underneath, followed by painting.

Sep 22, 2015 10:16 PM

Upvote

1

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Rainmaker
784,786

The Woodland Team of Texas

The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX

Land Specialists

Paint and clean.

Feb 26, 2019 11:31 PM

Upvote

Ambassador
6,418,182

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Cleaning

Sep 07, 2018 06:47 PM

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Rainer
2,610

Andrew Perry

Hound Dog Home Inspection LLC - Portsmouth, NH

I offer a $99 1 hour "Basics" inspection

Paint... followed by landscaping - Flowers IMHO woof

Sep 24, 2015 01:45 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
902,038

Olga Simoncelli

Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT

CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Decorating with plants.

Sep 23, 2015 01:02 PM

Upvote

Rainmaker
1,677,265

Winston Heverly

Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA

GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

Thanks again for you loyal participants. I do agree painting is one of the least expensive, along with cleaning and decluttering. One other thing I think is easy, cheap and does lend itself for curb side improvement are flowers and mulch. $100-$200 goes a long way.

Sep 23, 2015 12:13 PM

Upvote

Rainmaker
913,468

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

I also say painting. And as Barbara mentions, colors , quality of paint and painter make a huge difference.

Sep 23, 2015 08:25 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
617,935

David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation

Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Edit, clean, lighting, paint would be my order. Even if the lighting is just clean the fixtures and brighter bulbs.

Sep 23, 2015 05:18 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
212,755

Stefan Winter

Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV

Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I'd say clean and new paint. Carpet can be pretty inexpensive but I would not advise someone to add that.

Sep 23, 2015 02:18 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
2,784,716

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

A paint job is like a good cleaning and both bring HOME the bacon!

Sep 23, 2015 02:11 AM

Upvote

Rainer
150,466

Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville

Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY

Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Cheapest, because it is free, is de-clutter. I always tell my clients to make their home look like an Ikea (insert favorite retailer) showroom. Only have what is necessary, nothing more.

Same for the closets, no matter how large, get the out-of-season clothes out of there.

Storage boxes are cheap, and you are going to use them to move when I get the home sold! Start packing the stuff away, take it to a friends, and lets get the "marketing" right on the first day of the listing!

The larger the home, closets, garage, looks for the money, the more money you may make Mr or Ms Home Seller!

Sep 23, 2015 01:32 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
7,864,046

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Fresh paint is one of the smartest and least expensive improvements.

Sep 23, 2015 01:23 AM

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Rainer
145,403

Andrzej Niemyjski

Realty One Group - Sun City West, AZ

cleanup and unclutter is the biggest home improvement seller can make

Sep 23, 2015 12:53 AM

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Ambassador
5,851,230

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Paint, but not all white.

Sep 23, 2015 12:52 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
3,986,308

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

In my area it is finishing the 2nd bath

Sep 23, 2015 12:01 AM

Upvote

Rainmaker
3,340,443

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Paint does woners ...that can mean not just to exterior and interior walls...but can bring cabinetry to life with new hardware as well !

Sep 22, 2015 10:16 PM

Upvote

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I think it would be painting.... but select the right colors.... the eye buys.
The one that catches the buyers eye and is willing to pay to get it.

Otherwise Paint!
Besides getting creepy Uncle Eunice to go someplace else. paint is by far the highest ROI with the exception of clean, clean and clean.
1. Cleaning products and dumpsters to get rid of clutter make a lived in home look like a house someone would buy.

2. Paint can take a worn out tired building and make it look brand new.
Generally, ripping up carpet and refinishing hardwood underneath, followed by painting.
Thanks again for you loyal participants. I do agree painting is one of the least expensive, along with cleaning and decluttering. One other thing I think is easy, cheap and does lend itself for curb side improvement are flowers and mulch. $100-$200 goes a long way.
I also say painting. And as Barbara mentions, colors , quality of paint and painter make a huge difference.
Edit, clean, lighting, paint would be my order. Even if the lighting is just clean the fixtures and brighter bulbs.
I'd say clean and new paint. Carpet can be pretty inexpensive but I would not advise someone to add that.
A paint job is like a good cleaning and both bring HOME the bacon!
Cheapest, because it is free, is de-clutter. I always tell my clients to make their home look like an Ikea (insert favorite retailer) showroom. Only have what is necessary, nothing more.

Same for the closets, no matter how large, get the out-of-season clothes out of there.

Storage boxes are cheap, and you are going to use them to move when I get the home sold! Start packing the stuff away, take it to a friends, and lets get the "marketing" right on the first day of the listing!

The larger the home, closets, garage, looks for the money, the more money you may make Mr or Ms Home Seller!
Fresh paint is one of the smartest and least expensive improvements.
cleanup and unclutter is the biggest home improvement seller can make
Paint does woners ...that can mean not just to exterior and interior walls...but can bring cabinetry to life with new hardware as well !