Whether you've found your "forever" home or need to downsize, selling your existing property can be stressful at best And if your home is on the market, or has been on the market for a while, you'll want to make sure it gets top dollar

But before you consider spending a fortune on home improvements, take wise professional advice Emma Hernan is a luxury real estate agent with the highly regarded Oppenheim Group in Los Angeles and the glamorous star of the hit Netflix show Selling Sunset Additionally, she is the CEO of a plant-based empanada company

The Selling Sunset star shared her top tips for selling a home In fact, alongside these nine essential decorating tips that may help you sell your home, this one trick can instantly transform your home and attract potential buyers So what exactly is this masterstroke?

The answer is simply a fresh coat of paint Yes, that's it; in an interview with Homes & Gardens magazine, Hernan recommends that when selling a property, a coat of paint is the easiest interior decorating trick that will guarantee a good return

"I think a fresh coat of paint inside and out will always pay off I think it's the best return on investment you can have," shares Hernan

Also, elite, real estate agents believe that you don't have to overspend on renovations to sell a home, but instead focus on refreshing or updating cosmetic touches Not only is it a simple task and quick to do, but the reality is that most buyers want to put their personal stamp on the property after they move in In other words, they do not need to spend time and effort on expensive renovations if they will only be torn down by the new owners

"When I have a client who is trying to sell, I don't recommend a major remodel," Hernan shared, "I honestly think it's about updating cosmetically and refreshing the home so that it's ready to hit the market

Whether you're refreshing a living room, bedroom or entryway, you need to know how to choose the best paint for your interior finishes -- from durability to gloss Plus, here are seven clever paint hacks that would have made the job less challenging if you'd known about them earlier

Before you attempt to paint like a pro, here are three things that are often forgotten when painting

Prep the room - keep furniture completely away from the walls whenever possible Move any heavy furniture that might get in the way to the center of the room and make sure it is properly covered with a drop/decorative cloth

Next, cover the flooring with canvas drop cloths or sheets of cardboard Secure the sheets properly with tape to prevent them from moving or sliding This may seem like a lot of work, but it will be worth it if you can protect your flooring and furniture from paint stains

Repair the walls - Before you paint the walls, check the condition of the walls first Inspect the surface of the wall for cracks, holes, dents, or other areas that need repair

Then apply the caulking material using a putty knife to fill in and allow to dry completely We can recommend Dap 18128 Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone 55 oz - 4 Pack ($24, Amazon)

When completely dry, lightly sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth the surface Then wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth and allow it to dry again This will make all the difference in the finish and final result

Purchase a paint swatch tester - even if you have a specific color in mind, the finished wall may look completely different from the color chart The best way to get an idea of what the paint color will look like is to test a few samples of the paint color on an inconspicuous area of the wall

Alternatively, if you do not want to test directly on the wall, you can apply two coats of paint to a Styrofoam board and tape it to the wall This process will save you from having to repaint the entire room if you don't like the final color

Also, be sure to avoid these paint colors, as they will make your home look cheap