Improvement

Typical

Cost

Increase in

Sales Price

Average

Return

Agents Who Recommend

Professional Home Staging

$403 - $584

$1,938 - 2,431

343%

91%

Lighten & Brighten

$233 - 370

$1,178 - 1,566

355%

97%

Clean & De-Clutter

$190 - 318

$1,505 - 1,937

578%

97%

Landscape Front/Back Yards

$378 - 546

$1,718 - 2,158

319%

97%

Fix Plumbing, Electrical

$436 - 621

$1,205 - 1,590

164%

93%

Repair Damaged Flooring

$628 - 878

$1,633 - 2,061

145%

94%

Update Kitchen & Bathrooms

$1,404 - 1,828

$3,216 - 3,934

121%

87%

Replace or Shampoo Carpeting

$562 - 808

$1,532 - 1,950

154%

98%

Paint Exterior Walls

$663 - 938

$1,757 - 2,205

147%

88%

Paint Interior Walls

$651 - 920

$1,741 - 2,179

150%

97%

2007 HomeGain Survey of 2,000 real estate agents nationwide found that moderately priced home improvements, ranging from $80 - 2,800, made in preparation for sale actually yield the highest returns when a house is sold.