HomeLight combed home improvement best-of lists, consulted trusted tech blogs, tried out apps for ourselves, and talked to pros in real estate to winnow down that haystack. We can\u2019t guarantee every app will be for you, but we divided our search into five main categories that track the greater home sale journey to offer recommendations for tools that can help you every step of the way.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s to finding what you need!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n A quick (and free) way to check your home value<\/h3>\n
Get a preliminary home value estimate in as little as two minutes. Our tool uses information from multiple sources to give you a range of value based on current market trends.<\/p>\n \n
Home maintenance and upkeep<\/h2>\n
Home maintenance isn\u2019t nearly as exciting as renovations or design upgrades, but for every dollar you spend on preventive repairs<\/a>, you\u2019ll save nearly $100 in future repairs<\/a>. With so much to keep up with in your home, it never hurts to have help. Apps can track the last time you had repairs, or save information on warranties, making home upkeep more manageable.<\/p>\n Why we recommend it:<\/strong> When you\u2019ll need it:<\/strong> The app allows you to keep digital records of home improvement receipts, so you can stay organized and refer back to past expenses during tax season or when the time comes to sell. Finally, use the app to stay up to speed with the exciting part of homeownership: Building wealth and watching your home\u2019s value grow. HomeZada\u2019s finance app<\/a> calculates how much equity you have in your home based on your outstanding mortgage balance and provides ongoing estimates of your home\u2019s value.<\/p>\n How to use it:<\/strong> With some information input upfront, HomeZada can work its magic. Each function is set up differently:<\/p>\n Pricing:<\/strong><\/p>\n Available for:<\/strong> iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Why we recommend it:<\/strong> When you\u2019ll need it:<\/strong> How to use it:<\/strong> Pricing:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Available for:<\/strong> iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Why we recommend it:<\/strong> When you\u2019ll need it:<\/strong> How to use it:<\/strong> Pricing:<\/strong> Free (for basic version)<\/p>\n Available for:<\/strong> iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Why we recommend it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Houzz is a comprehensive platform for home design and renovation, connecting homeowners with professionals and offering a vast collection of ideas. It’s an excellent resource for visual inspiration, finding local experts, and managing projects from start to finish. The app allows you to browse millions of photos, save favorites, and even visualize them in your home using augmented reality (AR). It also features a marketplace for purchasing home goods.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ll need it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ll need Houzz when you\u2019re planning any home improvement project, big or small. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a kitchen remodel<\/a>, searching for a landscape designer, or simply want to refresh a single room, Houzz provides the tools and resources to help. It’s particularly useful for those who want to visualize changes before committing or who are seeking professional help.<\/p>\n How to use it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Download the Houzz app and create an account. You can then browse by room, style, or project type. Save inspiring photos to your “Ideabooks” to create collections of your favorite designs. Use the “View in My Room” feature to see how furniture and decor look in your space. When you’re ready to find a professional, you can search for architects, contractors, interior designers, and more in your area, view their portfolios, read reviews, and contact them directly through the app. You can also shop for products directly from the app.<\/p>\n Pricing: <\/strong>Many of its features, such as browsing photos, creating Ideabooks, and contacting professionals, are available without charge. However, costs will apply for any services hired through the platform or products purchased from the Houzz marketplace.<\/p>\n Available for: <\/strong>iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Doing it yourself doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t ask for occasional help. The average American homeowner has 9 incomplete projects<\/a> in their home at any given point, so most of us need all the help we can get. Don\u2019t let those projects sit unfinished while you prepare to sell your home. Use the tools below to turn a do-it-yourself into a did-it-yourself.<\/p>\n Why we recommend it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This app allows you to create floor plans simply by taking pictures. You can then furnish these plans with objects and even visualize them in 3D, making it an excellent tool for planning renovations or furniture placement.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ll need it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Perfect for homeowners planning a remodel<\/a>, redecorating a room, or even just wanting to visualize their space better. It’s especially useful for quickly getting measurements and creating professional-looking floor plans without complex software.<\/p>\n How to use it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Open the app and start by taking photos of your room. MagicPlan will automatically generate a floor plan. From there, you can add furniture, objects, and even estimate costs for your project. You can also export your plans in various formats.<\/p>\n Pricing: <\/strong>The Starter Plan is free for basic use for up to two projects, with paid subscriptions available for additional features and export options.<\/p>\n Available for: <\/strong>iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Why we recommend it:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo Measures is an incredibly useful tool for anyone undertaking home improvement projects, big or small. It allows you to take photos of your spaces and directly add dimensions and notes onto the images. This eliminates the need for messy handwritten measurements or trying to recall specifics later. It’s especially handy for ensuring accurate material purchases and for communicating plans to contractors or designers.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ll need it:<\/strong><\/p>\n This app is essential whenever you’re measuring for new furniture, appliances, window treatments, or flooring. It’s also invaluable when planning renovations, sketching out potential layouts<\/a>, or simply keeping track of dimensions for future reference. If you’re working with a contractor, sharing accurately measured photos can streamline the communication process significantly.<\/p>\n How to use it:<\/strong><\/p>\n Simply open the app, take a photo of the area you want to measure, and then use the intuitive tools to draw lines and input measurements directly onto the image. You can add notes, angles, and even group related photos into projects for easy organization. The app allows you to export your measured photos as PDFs or JPEGs to share with others.<\/p>\n Pricing:<\/strong> Photo Measures is available as a one-time purchase for $6.99, with no recurring subscriptions.<\/p>\n Available for:<\/strong> iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Why we recommend it:<\/strong> When you\u2019ll need it:<\/strong> How to use it:<\/strong> Pricing:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n Available for:<\/strong> iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a><\/p>\n Why we recommend it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This app allows you to design and visualize your home improvement projects in 2D and 3D. You can create detailed floor plans, arrange furniture, and even walk through your virtual home to get a realistic sense of how your renovations will look and feel. It\u2019s excellent for spatial planning and seeing your ideas come to life before committing to any physical changes.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ll need it:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Live Home 3D is ideal for anyone planning a major home renovation, redecorating a room, or even designing a new home from scratch. It\u2019s particularly useful when you need to visualize layout changes, test different furniture arrangements, or experiment with various design elements.<\/p>\n How to use it:<\/strong><\/p>\n Start by creating a detailed floor plan of your existing or new space. Then, you can drag and drop furniture, appliances, and decorative items from the extensive library. The app also allows you to adjust wall colors, flooring, and other finishes. The 3D view lets you explore your design from any angle, and you can even generate photorealistic renderings to share with others.<\/p>\n Pricing:<\/strong> Live Home 3D offers a free version with limited features. The full version is available as a one-time purchase or a subscription, with varying price points depending on the platform (macOS, iOS, Windows). Pro version is $149.99 with limited-time discounts<\/a> available.<\/p>\n Available for: <\/strong>iOS<\/a>, AppleVision<\/a>, Mac<\/a>, and Windows<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" HomeLight combed home improvement best-of lists, consulted trusted tech blogs, and tried out apps for ourselves to bring you this list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":12022,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[320,233],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-add-value","category-preparing-to-sell"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n1. HomeZada<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nEndorsed by Better Homes and Gardens and the Washington Post for its robust offerings and user-friendliness, HomeZada helps you take great care of what\u2019s likely your largest financial asset with tools to help you improve, protect, and maintain every aspect of your house.<\/p>\n
\nLook to HomeZada for a little tech help with the routine upkeep of your home and to manage your costs related to homeownership. It\u2019s so easy to put off maintenance, but HomeZada creates a preventive home maintenance schedule<\/a> with regular reminders to swap out the air filter or flush the water heater when you need to.<\/p>\n\n
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2. Centriq<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nHailed by The New York Times<\/a> as a \u201cdigital ribbon around your finger,\u201d Centriq takes the guesswork out of the age-old question, \u201cWhen did I last drain the water heater?\u201d It ensures the upkeep and maintenance of electronics and appliances within your home, and can be the one-stop hub for manuals.<\/p>\n
\nCentriq replaces the kitchen drawer that\u2019s overflowing with warranties and appliance manuals. When it comes time to sell your home, you can digitally hand-off the manuals, as well as a catalogued repair history for each appliance, leading to peace of mind for the buyer.<\/p>\n
\nDownload the app, then log the product labels of electronics and appliances in your home. Centriq can scan product labels and add product manuals for everything, as long as the brand and model number are visible. After a quick setup, everything will be saved for the next time you need a little help. In addition to information from the manufacturer, you can log notes around previous problems and maintenance issues.<\/p>\n\n
3. Todoist<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nHome upkeep can take a village, so enlist yours with Todoist. More robust than a refrigerator to-do list, and less stressful than constantly nagging a spouse or family member to complete a task, Todoist makes it easy to share and delegate tasks. It\u2019s also been ranked as the world\u2019s best to-do list by The Verge<\/a>, given an Exemplary rating by PC Magazine<\/a>, and called \u201cnothing short of stellar\u201d by Tech Radar<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nPlan tasks big and small with your housemates, so no one has to wonder, \u201cWas the litter box cleaned?\u201d before a showing. Todoist has collaborative to-do lists, reminders, and note functions that can keep everyone on the same page about what\u2019s been done, and what still needs to be completed around the house.<\/p>\n
\nCreate a list for your home, or lists for different categories like \u201cPrepare for a Showing\u201d or \u201cTo Complete Before Closing.\u201d Invite stakeholders in the sale of your home, such as your spouse or real estate agent, to collaborate and add tasks. Set due dates and reminders for each task as they appear.<\/p>\n4. Houzz<\/a><\/h3>\n
DIY helpers<\/h2>\n
5. MagicPlan<\/a><\/h3>\n
6. Photo Measures<\/a><\/h3>\n
7. wikiHow<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nYou might be skeptical of user-sourced articles, but on average, each wikiHow article is edited by 23 people and reviewed by 16 others<\/a>. If an article has a green checkmark next to it, it means it\u2019s been verified by a professional. The expert (and amatuer) advice from over 42 countries translated across 19 languages<\/a> makes for comprehensive information and advice.<\/p>\n
\nwikiHow can help you with just about anything, but could be the perfect tool for learning how to get those ketchup stains out of your couch before a showing, or cleaning your sun-bleached patio furniture.<\/p>\n
\nSearch using related keywords or phrases in the app to find step by step guides to solve your problem or aid you in your home improvement project.<\/p>\n8. Live Home 3D<\/a><\/h3>\n