The amount you should spend to prepare your house for sale can vary depending on its current condition and market expectations. Minor updates like painting, deep cleaning, and landscaping can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The 30% rule for home renovations suggests that the total expenses incurred during the renovation process should remain within one-third of the original purchase price of the home. So if your house cost is $400,000, you should invest no more than $120,000 in renovations.