<p>Small, smart fixes buyers notice — and the ones that aren&#39;t worth your weekend.</p>
<h2>Start with first impressions</h2>
<p>Buyers decide how they feel about a home in the first few seconds. Curb appeal and a clean, bright entry do more than most big-ticket renovations.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Fresh mulch and trimmed shrubs</p>
</li>
<li><p>A new front door mat and house numbers</p>
</li>
<li><p>Clean windows inside and out</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Freshen, don&#39;t renovate</h2>
<p>Neutral paint, updated light fixtures and new cabinet hardware make rooms photograph well without a remodel budget.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Neutral paint in high-traffic rooms</p>
</li>
<li><p>Swap dated light fixtures</p>
</li>
<li><p>Replace worn cabinet pulls</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Skip these</h2>
<p>Luxury upgrades rarely pay for themselves right before a sale. Talk to your agent before starting anything bigger than a weekend project.</p>


Small, smart fixes buyers notice — and the ones that aren't worth your weekend.

10 low-cost updates that help your home sell faster

Start with first impressions

Freshen, don't renovate

Skip these