1. Declutter Every Room

Why it matters: Clutter distracts buyers and makes spaces look smaller. It’s hard for potential buyers to envision their own belongings in your home when it’s filled to the brim with yours.

What to do:

• Start with common areas like the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.
• Remove unnecessary furniture to open up space.
• Box up personal items like family photos, collectibles, and extra décor.
• Tidy up closets—buyers will peek inside, and a cluttered closet suggests limited storage space.

Pro Tip:  Rent a storage unit if needed to get things “out of sight and out of mind”, or neatly store items in bins in the garage or attic.

2. Deep Clean from Top to Bottom

Why it matters: A sparkling clean home signals to buyers that the property has been well-maintained. Lingering odors, grimy bathrooms, or dusty surfaces can immediately turn people off.

What to do:

• Scrub floors, baseboards, and walls.
• Wash windows to let in natural light.
• Clean grout in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Don’t forget hidden areas like inside cabinets, under furniture, and behind appliances.

Pro Tip: Hire a professional cleaning service for a one-time deep clean—it’s worth the investment.

3. Apply a Fresh Coat of Light Neutral Paint

Why it matters: Neutral colors make your home feel fresh, bright, and move-in ready. Bold colors might suit your taste but can limit your buyer pool.

What to do:

• Repaint walls in shades like soft and light greys, beiges, whites, or warm taupe.
• Touch up trim, doors, and baseboards with crisp white paint.
• Patch and sand any holes or imperfections before painting.

Pro Tip: Lighter shades can also make smaller rooms appear larger and more open.

4. Depersonalize Your Space

Why it matters:
Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home, and that’s hard to do if your personal style dominates every room.

What to do:

• Take down family photos, diplomas, and kids’ artwork, plus trophies.
• Replace loud colored or niche art pieces with neutral, minimal décor.
• Remove religious or political items that could distract or divide potential buyers.

Pro Tip: Think of your home like a model home—stylish but generic.

5. Light It Up

Why it matters:
A well-lit home feels warm, open, and welcoming. Dim or poorly lit spaces can appear small, outdated, or depressing.

What to do:

• Open all blinds and curtains to let in natural light.
• Replace any burnt-out or dim light bulbs.
• Consider upgrading to higher-wattage bulbs or daylight LED bulbs for a brighter feel.
• Add lamps to corners or dark spaces to improve ambiance.

Pro Tip: Mirrors can help reflect light and make rooms feel larger.

6. Maximize Floor Space with Smart Furniture Placement

Why it matters:
Your furniture layout affects how spacious a room feels. Poor placement can make rooms feel cramped or awkward.

What to do:

• Pull furniture away from walls to create conversational groupings.
• Remove oversized or excessive furniture pieces.
• Arrange rooms to highlight their intended purpose—turn that office/gym hybrid back into a guest bedroom, if needed.

Pro Tip: Use staging tricks like floating a rug under furniture to define spaces clearly.

7. Refresh the Kitchen and Bathrooms

Why it matters:
Kitchens and bathrooms are huge selling points for buyers. They don’t necessarily need to be brand new, but they should be clean and updated.

What to do:

• Reface or paint outdated cabinets and add modern hardware.
• Replace old faucets and light fixtures with stylish, budget-friendly options.
• Remove old caulk and re-caulk tubs, showers, and sinks to freshen up a tired-looking grout.
• Add a fresh set of matching towels and some simple countertop décor.

Pro Tip: If budget allows, swap out dated countertops or install a stylish and neutral backsplash for a quick facelift.

8. Stage Every Room with Purpose

Why it matters:
Buyers often struggle to see how to use awkward spaces. Proper staging helps highlight a home’s full potential and functionality.

What to do:

• Set the dining table with simple place settings to help buyers imagine entertaining.
• Turn a nook into a cozy reading area with a chair, throw, and small bookshelf.
• Add a desk and lamp to a corner of the living room to suggest a work-from-home space.

Pro Tip: Avoid empty rooms—staged rooms feel larger and more inviting than vacant ones.

9. Eliminate Odors and Freshen the Air

Why it matters:
Scent has a powerful impact on first impressions. Lingering pet, smoke, or cooking odors can be a dealbreaker.

What to do:

• Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods (like fish or curry) while your home is on the market.
• Wash pet bedding and clean litter boxes frequently.
• Air out the home by opening windows regularly.
• Use subtle, pleasant scents like vanilla, citrus, or fresh linen via diffusers or candles.

Pro Tip: Bake a batch of cookies before a showing—it’s a cliché for a reason!

10. Fix What’s Broken (Even the Little Things)

Why it matters:
Minor repairs may seem insignificant, but they send a message about how well the home has been cared for. A burned-out lightbulb or loose doorknob could leave buyers wondering what else is wrong.

What to do:

• Patch, sand, and paint holes in walls, fix squeaky doors, make sliding doors to glide easily, and tighten loose handles.
• Repair leaky faucets or running toilets.
• Make sure all windows and doors open and close properly.
• Test all appliances to ensure they work as intended.

Pro Tip: Walk through your home as if you’re the buyer and note anything that feels off or broken. Then fix it.

Bonus Tips to Go the Extra Mile

If you’ve already tackled the essentials and want to go above and beyond, here are a few more touches that can help your home stand out:

• Update your curb appeal: Cleanup and landscape your front yard and entrance to make it inviting with flowers, shrubs, tress, tall vases, or statuary. Add fresh coat of paint to front door.

• Upgrade your light fixtures: Replacing dated ceiling fans or chandeliers can modernize a space instantly.

• Install smart home features: A smart thermostat, lighting, or security system can appeal to tech-savvy buyers.

• Freshen up flooring: Replacing worn carpet or refinishing hardwood floors gives a huge return on investment.

• Create a lifestyle vibe: Set out a wine bottle and glasses in the dining area, or lay out a spa tray in the bathroom with candles and a fluffy towel to suggest a luxurious lifestyle.

Final Thoughts: Make Buyers Fall in Love at First Sight

Update your home’s curb appeal by having an inviting and colorful floral entrance to your home. A fresh coat of paint on your front door helps as does a new door bell if the old one is corroded.

You don’t need a full renovation to make your home sell faster—you just need to present it in the best possible light. By decluttering, cleaning, painting and staging your space strategically, you create an emotional connection for buyers the moment they walk through the front door.

Remember: First impressions matter! Take the time to prep your home before listing it and you’ll likely sell it quicker—and possibly for a higher price than the competition.

Thinking of selling soon? Start small. Tackle one room at a time, and before you know it, your home will be market-ready and turning heads.