Kitchens sell houses. Everyone wants a beautiful spa-like master bath. Yes! Well, kind of. While you are likely going to have to put some money into your home before you sell it, that doesn’t mean that getting your home ready to sell requires a mass renovation. In fact, there are some small renovations that make a big impact.

PAINT: The easiest update you can make to a home is fresh paint. It has one of the highest returns on investment if you stick to neutral colors. That doesn’t have to mean boring white. Here’s a list of 14 neutral colors that work in any room. A new coat of paint makes the home feel clean and bright. (Add a little staging to the freshly painted room and you’ll have a winner for sure!)

KITCHEN BACKSPLASH: You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on quartz countertops and new cabinets to give your kitchen that dreamy ‘I love this’ new look. Updating or adding a backsplash goes a long way in making a kitchen feel more modern. According to HomeAdvisor, a backsplash installation costs about $1,000 on average. Of course, there are options you may love that will cost a lot more so don’t get carried away when you make your choice. Remember, you aren’t going to live there anymore.

BATHROOM: Bathrooms are a high use area in a home so giving it a little update before you put your house on the market is a good idea. However, a full bathroom reno can cost upwards of 8k depending on the size. Minor tweaks like changing the light fixtures or adding a double vanity can increase the value of the home without doing a massive overhaul. Save that extra money for projects in your NEW home!

DON’T FORGET THE OUTSIDE: The first thing a buyer is going to see is the exterior of your home so don’t discount its importance. Improving curb appeal is a relatively minor renovation. Start by mowing the yard, and trimming bushes. Then consider putting up new house numbers, painting the front door or adding a stylish light to the front porch.

Keep in mind that according to Remodeling Magazine, you are more like to recoup your investment on basic home maintenance like new siding, windows or a new roof than on cosmetic changes.

Before you tackle any new renovation consult with your real estate agent. He or she will be able to guide you in making the most cost-effective choices. They’ve seen all the mistakes and have been through the process hundreds of time so their insight will be extremely valuable and can keep you from spending money where you don’t need to!