Preparing to sell a home doesn’t always mean spending thousands on major renovations. In fact, experts say many costly upgrades rarely return their value at closing. Instead of gutting your kitchen or bathroom, small cosmetic fixes, deep cleaning, and fresh paint can do more to attract buyers without draining your budget or delaying your sale.

Mortgage rates in the U.S. remain persistently high, with 30-year fixed loans hovering around 6.7% as of July 2025. While home prices continue to rise modestly and sales volumes dip, buyers and sellers alike face new challenges. Should you buy now, or wait for potential relief? This article explores strategies and expectations in today’s market.