12 October 2026 | See disclaimer
Quick summary
- Getting your home ready for sale doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Relatively inexpensive changes like painting interior walls, updating handles and tapware, and boosting your home’s “kerb appeal” can make it feel fresh and attractive to buyers.
- Alice Stolz, National Property Editor with Domain, told Budget Direct that she recommends a strategic approach to home improvement, beginning with local research to understand your market and who’s looking to buy in your neighbourhood.
- Home improvements like new furniture and fresh paint that increase the value of your home should be reflected in your sum insured, which is the maximum amount we’ll pay if you need to make a claim. Use Budget Direct’s Home Insurance calculators to estimate the cost of replacing your home and contents.
1. Become an expert on your local market
Stolz’s top tips begin with walking around your neighbourhood, taking note of who is selling and then inspecting those properties.
“I would grill the agent about that house — I wouldn’t necessarily reveal that I’m thinking of selling,” Stolz said. Among the questions she recommends asking:
- What is the level of interest in the property?
- Is the market in the area tight at the moment?
- Are houses going for asking price?
- Is the school zone a big factor in buyers’ minds?
- What are buyers valuing in the area?
When you’re attending an auction, Stolz recommends noting:
- How many bidders are present. Are there 10, 20, just one?
- What kind of buyers are present? Families, young couples, investors?
- Did the agent place a vendor bid to activate bidding?
- Was the property passed in, sold at auction, or is it still on the market?
- Did it sell under the hammer for the amount the agent expected it to, or did it not?
Stolz also says using apps like Domain to understand market dynamics can provide a good “pulse check” on the suburb.
2. Kerb appeal: First impressions matter
Your house’s exterior is the first impression buyers get of your home, so you better make sure it’s a good one. Stolz says “kerb appeal” is a very American expression, but it rings true for the Australian market. And for those with unruly gardens, she says a blank canvas is better than an untamed jungle.
“[Gardens] take years to build, nurture and maintain … So if you’re selling tomorrow and you haven’t got time for that, it’s fine: clear everything out, mow the lawns, make it look clean and tidy.”
Low-cost improvements that can make your house’s exterior shine:
- Mow the lawn and trim your edges
- Prune overgrown plants and weed gardens
- Wash windows, screen doors and exterior walls
- Tidy verandas and clean outdoor furniture
- Pressure wash driveways and concrete
- Empty gutters
- Add potted plants
- Use gravel to create paths in your front garden
- Repaint your front door, exterior wall or fences
3. Re-paint interior walls and ceilings
A cheap way to give your interior a new sheen is by adding a fresh coat of paint. Stolz recommends homeowners think about “what is more likely to appeal to a broader range of people.” So when picking your paint, she recommends “camel colours” like beiges, greys, and warm whites tend to have the widest appeal.
Is that paint?!
Adding Accidental Damage Insurance to your Home Insurance can help protect valuable items like rugs and furniture from mishaps that can occur during home improvements.
4. Fix major problems rather than upgrading
Before you start budgeting for an extension or new bathroom, look at what needs to be fixed first.
“I would argue that most buyers would prefer [a] cheaper house if it’s in a very good state, as opposed to the house next door in a good state, but with a great bathroom for $50,000 more,” Stolz says.
Find any cracks on the wall, broken doors, leaky taps, or chipped tiles. Stolz recommends getting an agent or even a trusted friend to walk through your home and note everything that needs fixing.
If you’re making any major home improvements, you should consider updating your sum insured. Use our Home Insurance calculators to check that the worth of your home and belongings match your sum insured.
5. Clean, clean, clean: The power of ‘elbow grease’
Stolz also believes that rather than costly renovations or regrouting, cleaning your home yourself is the way to go. “I think people underestimate what you can do with elbow grease, a decent cleaning product, and a determined mindset.” Scrub your grout, kill that mould, and mop your floor tiles until they gleam.
She also recommends decluttering. If a buyer opens a cupboard and sees “30 years of stuff you’ve left from your primary school in the cupboard — it’s not going to bode well.”
6. Use soft furnishings to add flair
Stolz says soft furnishings can help liven up a home and make it feel on trend “without doing something irreversible.”
Soft furnishings include “anything that’s soft and creates a warm and cosy environment,” including:
- New cushions
- A rug in the living room
- An ottoman
- Throw blankets on the couch or the end of a bed
- Trays with items to decorate coffee tables
7. Replace handles and tapware
Stolz recommends buyers upgrade the tapware and door/cabinet handles (AKA, hardware) to liven up old bathrooms and kitchens with designs that might otherwise be out of fashion. “Updating tapware and hardware is a great and economical way to ‘zhuzh’ up kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards and even bedroom doors,” Stolz says.
She recommends that any new taps and handles you buy should match colour, finishes, or materials. For example, if you go with brushed brass on the kitchen taps, use that same metal across all hardware in the kitchen for a modern, uniform look.
Update your existing Home Insurance, and get a quote for your next home
You’ve freshened the paint, re-grouted the tiles and decluttered every room. Your home has never looked better. The home improvements you’ve made may have likely increased how much it would cost to rebuild or replace your home, and if your sum insured hasn’t kept pace you could be underinsured.
You may want to check your sum insured if…
- You’ve made improvements or renovations in the last 12 months.
- You’ve purchased new furniture, appliances or valuable items.
- The value of your home and contents has increased since you first insured them.
Already bought your new place? Before settlement day, stay ahead of the curve and explore Home and Contents Insurance options. Get a combined Home and Contents Insurance Quote and save up to 30%^ (15% Online + Up to 15% Combined) on your first year’s premium.
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