Looking to spruce up your property a little to improve the value of your investment before putting it on the market?

It doesn't always have to cost a small fortune or take months to finish.

A mini-renovation or 'facelift' can be completed over a  few weekends, with a modest budget in mind. Here are a few surprisingly simple ways to improve your property for sale.

Pick up a paint brush

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the look and feel of the property. Not only is it an opportunity for a new colour, it cleans up any scrapes, chips or scuff marks that may have accumulated over the years.

Stick to light colours where possible, light and bright colours can open the house up and make it look bigger. Avoid picking colours purely because they are in fashion or because its your favourite, it's best to stick to the classics. 

The power of a lick of paint isn't limited to your walls either. You can buy floor paint to improve the look of concrete patios or outdoor areas, and tile paint to freshen up your bathroom.

Improve street appeal

Trim the hedges, trees and do the weeding. Mini-projects like putting in a new front path or installing a new letter box can improve the look of your front yard. This increases the 'street appeal' which can have a dramatic impact on the impression of your home.  

Often, potential buyers will do a drive-by of a property first, before deciding whether to inspect, so it's important to make it look as appealing as possible.

Get Spring cleaning

Hire a skip bin, open up those cupboards you've been avoiding and get to work.

If you land anywhere on the hoarding spectrum, donating or binning all those bits and pieces you never use and doing a thorough clean out will make it easier to prepare your property for an open house.

One of the biggest turn offs for a buyer is a cluttered, messy house, and you'd be surprised by just how snoopy some people can get during an inspection - stuffing everything under the stairs won't do.  

Plus, de-cluttering will not only make your property look and feel more inviting, it's going to make moving easier too! 

Update the small things 

Something as simple as replacing outdated door handles, tap fittings, power point covers, light fittings and curtains can freshen up a property. The neutral colours and conservative style rule is also applicable here, anything too out there may isolate a potential buyer. 

Finish what you started

Now's the time to finish any half-completed projects which may have been on the back burner for a while.

Finish painting the back fence, put up those shelves, finish the deck off with some deck oil.

Potential buyers will not find your ongoing projects appealing, they will see your unfinished projects as their future unfinished projects.

While you're at it, be on the look out for any leaking taps , loose floorboards or anything else that could be noticed by a potential buyer.