Thinking about selling your home? How you prepare before it
goes on the market can be the difference between sitting
unsold and closing at top dollar.
The good news is that most of what moves the needle does not require a major renovation. Here is what
actually matters:
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Buyers need to be able to picture themselves living in your home. Pack away personal photos, clear off countertops, and
remove anything that makes the space feel crowded. Less is always more when it comes to showing a home.
2. Deep Clean Everything
This means baseboards, windows, grout, appliances and light fixtures. A spotless home signals to buyers that the
property has been well maintained. Consider hiring a professional cleaning crew before photos are taken.
3. Handle Small Repairs First
Leaky faucets, squeaky doors, cracked outlet covers and scuffed walls all add up in a buyer's mind. Walk through your
home with fresh eyes and address anything that could raise a red flag during a showing or home inspection. Buyers and
their agents notice the small things.
4. Fresh Paint is One of the Best Investments You Can Make
A fresh coat of neutral paint consistently delivers one of the highest returns on investment of any pre-listing update.
Stick to warm whites, soft grays or greige tones that appeal to the widest range of buyers and photograph beautifully.
5. Curb Appeal Matters More Than You
First impressions start before buyers ever walk through the door. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, add fresh mulch and
make sure the front entry is clean and welcoming. Buyers who fall in love with the outside are already emotionally
invested before they step inside.
6. Stage Your Space
Professionally staged homes consistently sell faster and for more money than unstaged homes. Even simple updates like
rearranging furniture, adding fresh flowers and layering textiles can completely transform how a home photographs and
feels during a showing. Staging is not about decorating. It is about helping buyers connect emotionally with the space.
7. Need Help Funding Updates Before You List?
One of the biggest reasons sellers delay listing is not having the funds available to make necessary repairs or updates
upfront. Through Christie's International Real Estate, I offer access to the Move Concierge program which allows sellers
to borrow up to $50,000 for repairs, renovations, staging and more with absolutely zero out of pocket cost. Everything is
repaid at closing. This program is available on listings up to $4 million and is backed by a fintech leader with over 36,000
satisfied sellers and more than $1 billion in funded work. It is one of the most powerful tools available to home sellers
today.
8. Professional Photography is Not Optional
More than 95 percent of buyers begin their home search online. Your listing photos are your first showing and in many
cases your only chance to make a buyer stop scrolling and book an appointment. At Christie's International Real Estate
every listing receives professional photography as a standard part of our marketing strategy because how your home
looks online directly impacts how fast it sells and for how much.
9. Price It Right From Day One
All of the preparation in the world will not overcome an overpriced listing. Homes that are priced correctly from the
start attract more buyers, generate more showings and are far more likely to close at or above asking price. Homes that
sit and require price reductions often sell for less than they would have if priced strategically from the beginning. I use a
real time digital CMA to make sure your pricing is based on exactly what the market is doing right now, not what it was
doing three months ago.
Ready to Find Out What Your Home Is Worth?
I would love to put together a custom plan for you. Reach out today and let's talk about getting your home sold for
what it is truly worth.
Contact Jayla
