8 Low-Cost Renovations That Can Add Big Value Before You Sell
By Leigh Martinuzzi | Martinuzzi Property Group – eXp Australia
When preparing to sell, many homeowners ask me the same question:
“What can I do that will actually add value before we hit the market, without overcapitalising?”
The answer? It’s not always about big-budget renovations. In fact, some of the best returns come from small, strategic improvements that instantly elevate your home’s appeal and get buyers emotionally invested.
At MPG, we’ve helped hundreds of Sunshine Coast sellers increase their final price by $10,000, $20,000, even $50,000 or more, just by making a few smart tweaks before going live.
Here are 8 of our go-to low-cost improvements that punch well above their weight and how you can do them too.
1. Repaint with Purpose
A fresh coat of paint is one of the highest ROI improvements you can make. It instantly freshens your interiors, hides wear and tear, and brightens up dark or tired spaces.
What to do:
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Focus on high-traffic areas first: entry, living, hallway.
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Use neutral tones like Dulux Natural White or Lexicon Quarter. Buyers love light and bright.
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Don’t forget trims and doors. These make a big impact when crisp and clean.
💡 My Personal Tip: Painting the front door a bold, welcoming colour like navy, charcoal or even forest green can add a touch of luxury and boost your curb appeal instantly.
2. Boost Your Street Appeal
The front of your home is your first handshake with buyers. If it looks unloved, people subconsciously start to devalue the rest.
What to do:
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Pressure-clean the driveway, gutters, and path.
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Tidy the garden: remove dead plants, add bark mulch for instant polish.
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Update the mailbox and house number. A small but powerful detail.
💡 My Personal Tip: Even adding $100 worth of potted plants and flowers can breathe life into an entry. Focus on symmetry. Two pots either side of the door feels balanced and “finished.”
3. Modernise the Kitchen
You don’t need to knock down walls to give your kitchen a facelift. Buyers love fresh, functional kitchens but they don’t expect high-end if your home isn’t in that price bracket.
What to do:
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Replace cabinet handles with matte black or brushed brass.
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Paint over timber or laminate cupboards with a high-adhesion primer and colour.
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Add a peel-and-stick tile splashback (easy and looks fantastic).
💡 My Personal Tip: Install under-cabinet lighting strips to give a “designer feel”. Even a $40 LED kit from Bunnings makes your kitchen look high-end at night.
4. Let There Be Better Light
Lighting changes everything. Warm, ambient light makes a space feel bigger, cleaner, and more inviting. Dark rooms feel smaller and outdated.
What to do:
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Swap out yellowed oyster lights for modern, flush-mount LED fittings.
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Add pendant lights above the kitchen bench or dining table.
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Replace halogens with warm LED bulbs (2700–3000K) for a soft glow.
💡 My Personal Tip: Use floor lamps or uplighters in corners to soften shadows especially if you have no downlights. This is a great hack for photo day and open homes.
5. Repair and Refresh the Floors
Floors take the most punishment. If they’re scuffed, stained or saggy, buyers will mentally start subtracting dollars from your price.
What to do:
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Steam clean carpets or hire a pro for $100–200.
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Polish hardwoods or add budget vinyl planks to worn areas.
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Use large, stylish rugs to define spaces and hide imperfections.
💡 My Personal Tip: A rug under your bed instantly gives a tired bedroom a luxe feel. This is one of the easiest ways to “stage” without hiring furniture.
6. Update Curtains and Blinds
Dated window furnishings are one of the top “dealbreakers” for modern buyers and they’re easy to fix.
What to do:
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Replace heavy curtains with light-filtering sheers (IKEA and Spotlight have great options).
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Install white roller blinds or plantation-style shutters (DIY kits are affordable and look premium).
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Raise curtain rods higher than the window to make ceilings feel taller.
💡 My Personal Tip: Use curtain tiebacks to shape the window and let in max light for photography. Bright rooms = better buyer feels.
7. Revive the Bathroom Without Ripping It Out
Bathrooms often feel like big-ticket renos but you don’t need to gut them to impress buyers.
What to do:
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Regrout or silicone edges around the shower and bath.
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Replace tapware and showerheads (try matte black or brushed brass).
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Add a round mirror, some greenery, and a bamboo bath tray for instant Instagram vibes.
💡 My Personal Tip: Bathrooms should smell clean, fresh, and feel spa-like even if they’re small. Less clutter, more warmth.
8. Declutter, Depersonalise & Style
The biggest mistake we see sellers make? Leaving their personal “stuff” everywhere.
Buyers aren’t just buying a house. They’re buying a feeling, the life they imagine they could live there.
What to do:
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Remove 50% of what’s on your shelves and surfaces.
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Pack away family photos, piles of paperwork, and fridge magnets.
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Add cushions, throws, and soft furnishings in warm, neutral tones.
💡 My Personal Tip: Hire or borrow key styling pieces (like a hero artwork or large plant) for photo day and inspections. These elements are what people remember.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to get your home market-ready. You just need to be smart and strategic about where you invest your time and money.
In today’s Sunshine Coast market, buyers are still emotionally driven. They’ll pay more for a home that feels fresh, modern, and move-in ready, even if it’s not brand new.
If you’re thinking of selling and want a fresh pair of eyes on your home, I’d be more than happy to pop by and give you a custom prep plan. We also work with a leading stylist on the Sunshine Coast that can offer you a free consult if required. Contact me today and let’s strategize!
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