What if you don’t have cash to prep your home for sale?

Prepping your home for the market can make a big difference in your final sale price, but what if you don’t have the funds upfront? Good news: you still have options.

1. Broker or Lender Concierge Programs

Many real estate brokerages and some lenders offer programs that front the money for upgrades like paint, flooring, landscaping, staging, and even repairs.  You pay the cost back at closing, often with no interest.
A perfect solution for sellers who want top dollar without paying upfront.

• Ascend Concierge Program

  Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno has partnered with Notable to offer "Ascend", a concierge program that offers sellers an innovative solution for preparing their home for market with no money out of their pocket.  Ascend provides an unsecured line of credit to cover the costs of preparing and selling your home — from staging and repairs to upgrades that maximize appeal and value.  This program helps unlock your home’s full potential to achieve an optimal sale outcome, with no payments due until closing.

  For more information click the link: https://notablefi.com/serenoascend/apply#qualifications

3. Deferred Payment Contractor Services

Some contractors will work on a pay-at-close model, especially for cosmetic updates like paint, refinishing floors, lighting, and curb appeal.  Depending on the contractor, some defer 100% of the charges until the property sells, while others may have a surcharge for this option and/or request some amount of deposit with the balance paid through escrow when the property closes.

4. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

If you have equity but not liquid cash, a HELOC can bridge the gap for prep work.  It is flexible and fast, just be sure to speak with your lender about timing and terms.

5. Personal Loan or Zero Interest Credit

Not the first choice, but in some cases a small personal loan or 0 percent APR introductory credit card can cover light improvements like paint and staging. This especially works when you have a tight timeline.

6. Prioritize High Return, Low Cost Updates

If funds are limited, focus on changes with the biggest impact on a small budget:

• Deep cleaning and fresh paint

• Flooring updates (avoid multiple types of flooring and stick with only a couple flooring types, for example, luxury vinyl plank through the main living areas and new carpet in the bedrooms,)

• Landscaping refresh

• Lighting improvements and updated hardware

• Decluttering and light staging support

Even simple improvements can change the way buyers feel in your space.

7. Sell As Is

Sometimes selling without updates is the smartest move, especially when:

• The market is strong

• Buyers are investors

• Location, lot, or layout are the main value drivers

In these cases, pricing and presentation matter more than upgrades, and strong offers can still happen.

Pro Tip

A seasoned agent (that’s me!) can help evaluate your home, recommend the most impactful improvements, and connect you with pay-at-closing programs and trusted pros so you can maximize your sale without stressing your budget.