- The lead-generating company HomeGain has released a survey of real estate professionals that indicates the best inexpensive improvement homeowners can make before a sale is cleaning up the property.


Professionals were asked what was the best thing homeowners could do for less than $5,000.

The No. 1 response was cleaning and de-cluttering, which the survey said would cost about $290, and adds $1,990 to the value of the property.
Other responses were:
-- Lighting. Cost $375. Adds to value, $1,550.
-- Home staging. Cost $550. Adds to value, $2,194.
-- Landscaping. Cost $540. Adds to value, $1,932.
-- Electrical and plumbing repair. Cost $535. Adds to value, $1,505.