5 Simple Ways to Update Your House Before Listing It for Sale -- for Under $100

Selling your home can be a frustrating process. You will need to find someone who wants to buy a house and who is interested in your specific property out of all of the homes available. You'll also need to make sure you get a fair price and sell your house for enough money to pay off your mortgage.

If your home feels outdated, it can be harder to find a buyer. But at the same time, you don't necessarily want to sink a bunch of money into upgrades that buyers won't be interested in.

The good news is, there are simple ways to change the look of your space that could cost you less than $100 on your credit card and make a big impact in how buyers perceive your property. Here are a few ideas.

1. Upgrade your cabinet hardware

Cabinet hardware can make your kitchens and bathrooms look seriously dated if you have old-fashioned pulls.

The good news is, you don't have to spend a fortune to change this out. You can get more up-to-date knobs for a few bucks at your local hardware store, and usually need no DIY knowledge to unscrew your old ones and put new ones on instead.

2. Add some plants and mulch

The first thing buyers see when they come to your house is the exterior -- and curb appeal can make a huge difference in whether they have a positive impression.

That's why adding a few colorful plants and putting down some mulch can have such a powerful impact. Plants can add color and interest, while nothing catches the eye like some fresh mulch. You can pick up a few bags priced at about $4 each, and some nice colorful plants for well under $20.

3. Paint your garage door, front door, or shutters

Your garage door, front door, and shutters also play a big role in the curb appeal of your home. And updating them can be a quick, easy fix. Exterior paint can be purchased for about $20 a quart, so a few gallons of paint and a little sweat equity can make a big difference in how welcoming your home looks.

4. Change out a light fixture

Light fixtures can also date a house -- especially if you have old-fashioned chandeliers in main rooms like your dining room or living room area. There are some options for really neat fixtures for under $100, although hiring a professional electrician to make the switch could push you a bit over budget. If you're not moving the light and you have some basic electrical knowledge, this could be a pretty easy DIY job.

5. Stain your deck

Finally, staining your deck could make a big difference in how your home's exterior comes across -- especially if your boards are starting to fade or peel. A can of stain can be had for about $50 or less, and it could make an old deck look new again.

Any of these fixes could be just the thing to help you find a home buyer, so consider which ones would make the biggest difference in your home.