Every homeowner looking to sell works hard to make sure their homes look their absolute best. This year, that effort could be crucial to getting your top dollar. Though  Realtor.com forecasts a continued a seller’s market, slower home price growth and rising mortgage rates will lead to lower demand — and fewer bidding wars.

But what upgrades do homebuyers want? Most are looking to purchase a move-in ready house, according to a  RE/MAX brokers report, so sellers who’ve made timely, trendy home improvements will have a competitive advantage.

1. REPLACE CARPET WITH HARDWOOD

Many homebuyers favor hardwood floors over carpet. But you don’t have to go broke installing new flooring throughout your entire home. Focus on the family or living room; that’s where people tend to spend most time of their time. The average homeowner spends about $4,386 to install wood flooring,  according to Home Advisor. A warm brown or light gray stain offers a modern look that opens up the room.

2. PAINT KITCHEN CABINETS

One way to make your kitchen pop is by painting the cabinets a bold color. Homes with  tuxedo kitchens, where light-colored upper cabinets are paired with dark navy or black lower cabinets, correlated with higher selling prices, according to  Zillow. This project won’t break your bank, either. Repainting kitchen cabinets only costs about $1,000 if you hire a professional.  HomeAdvisor says you can lower costs by doing the work yourself over a weekend.

Alternatively, go farmhouse-chic and install a patterned backsplash that extends to the ceiling. It could give your kitchen the boost it needs.

3. ADD A SMART THERMOSTAT SYSTEM

Demand for smart home devices is heating up. Installing a smart thermostat — a device that lets you adjust your home’s temperature from a mobile app — can make your home instantly more attractive to buyers.

One to consider is the  Nest Learning Thermostat ($249). It has all the bells and whistles, including motion sensors that can detect where you are in the home, to adjust the temperature in unoccupied rooms and lower energy costs. Another highly rated option is the  ecobee4 Smart Thermostat ($240), which has a built-in Amazon Alexa that lets you use voice commands to adjust the temperature, play music, set a timer and use other Amazon Echo functions.

4. DESIGN A STATEMENT CEILING

 HGTV.com recently declared that statement ceilings are one of the hottest new home design trends. Installing raised beams or a coffered ceiling around lighting fixtures can make the space pop. This will likely cost several thousand dollars, depending on the size of your space, but it could be worthwhile: A  RealEstate.com analysis found homes with exposed beams or coffered ceilings sold for 26 percent to 29 percent more than expected. For a less costly and time-consuming option, opt for paint or removable wallpaper.

5. INSTALL TERRAZZO TILES

Traditionally made from a combination of marble, quartz, granite and glass chips suspended in a polished cement, terrazzo tile — an Art-Deco style popular during the 1920s to 1940s — is back in fashion. This long-lasting tile is a good choice for a contemporary shower stall. Focus on the master shower for the biggest impact. Terrazzo floor tiles cost roughly $20 to $70 per square foot,  according to ImproveNet. Because terrazzo can be slippery when wet, have your contractor apply non-slip additives to the floor.

6. SET UP A SMART HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

Just 17% of consumers said they own smart home security devices, and 14% said they either plan to or would consider buying one, according to a recent  PCMag survey. Installing a smart home security system before you put your house on the market gives homebuyers peace of mind knowing their surroundings are protected by an extra layer of technology. Smart home security devices include smart locks and doorbells, outdoor cameras and motion sensors, among other gadgets.

Splurge for the  Protect Package from iSmartAlarm ($484), a home security system that comes with six contact sensors for doors or windows, five motion sensors for rooms and hallways, and three remote tags for in-home control.

Learn how McFadden Partners can help sell your home faster and for a higher price with Compass Concierge.

Compass Concierge is the hassle-free way to sell your home faster and for a higher price with services like staging, flooring, painting, and more.

Your Compass agent will help you determine which services can deliver the greatest return on your investment.

The entire process is designed for speed, so that work can begin — and your home can sell — as quickly as possible.

You’ll never have to worry about upfront costs or interest.

Your Compass agent will be by your side throughout the process, advising you along the way.

1. You and your agent work together to decide which services can increase your home’s value the most and set an estimated budget for the work. 
2. When you’re ready to start, your Compass agent will be by your side as you engage vendors and commission work. 
3. Once the transformation is complete, your home will go on the market. 
4. You’ll pay for the services when one of the following happens — your home sells, you terminate your listing agreement with Compass, or 12 months pass from your Concierge start date.

• Floor repair
• Carpet cleaning & replacement
• Staging
• Deep-cleaning
• Decluttering
• Cosmetic renovations
• Landscaping
• Interior & exterior painting

• HVAC
• Roofing repair
• Moving & storage
• Pest control
• Custom closet work
• Fencing
• Electrical work
• Seller-side inspections & evaluations

• Kitchen improvements
• Bathroom improvements
• Pool & tennis court services
• Water heating & plumbing repair
• Sewer lateral inspections & remediation
• More than 100 other home improvement services

Our goal is for Concierge to help as many clients as possible. The program is intentionally flexible; we’ve developed Concierge to be used with most vendors for your convenience.

You’ll pay once one of the following happens (whichever occurs first): – Your home sells – You terminate your listing agreement with Compass – 12 months pass from your Concierge start date.

Easy! Call your Compass agent today to find out how to participate. Not yet working with one? Use the form to get started.

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation, recommendation, offer or promise to provide services. Rules & Exclusions apply. Compass offers no guarantee or warranty of results. Home must qualify under Compass Concierge guidelines. Subject to additional terms and conditions. Compass reserves the right to refuse, reject, or cancel the program for any reason at any time without liability.