Getting ready to sell your home? Before you rush to stick a "For Sale" sign in the yard, know this:
The way you present your home can have a huge impact on how fast it sells—and how much it sells for.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 82% of buyer’s agents say staging made it easier for their clients to visualize a property as their future home.
And prepped, well-presented homes not only sell faster, they often sell for 5–10% more than poorly presented ones.

So where should you focus your energy? Let’s break it down.

1. Declutter and Pre-Pack: Give Buyers Room to Imagine

If you do nothing else, declutter.
Clutter doesn't just make rooms feel smaller; it distracts buyers from seeing the actual home.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Clear countertops, especially in kitchens and bathrooms

• Pack away off-season clothes to make closets look bigger

• Thin out bookshelves, cabinets, and drawers

• Remove personal photos and highly specific decor

Think of it as pre-packing for your move.
You'll have to pack eventually anyway—doing it now can actually help you sell faster and for more.

📊 Fun fact: Homes that are decluttered and depersonalized can sell for up to 6% more than similar homes that are not.

2. Deep Clean (And Then Clean Again)

A clean home feels loved. A dirty one feels... well, neglected.

Buyers notice everything.
And deep cleaning goes beyond just vacuuming floors:

• Scrub baseboards, trim, and crown molding

• Clean windows inside and out (sparkling windows = huge impact!)

• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents

• Clean doors, doorknobs, and door sills

• Pay extra attention to grout lines, faucets, and glass shower doors

Don't forget smells, either.
Lingering odors (even ones you don’t notice anymore) can turn off a buyer instantly.

✨ Pro Tip: Hiring a professional cleaning team before photos and showings is one of the best investments you can make.

3. Light Staging: Small Changes, Big Impact

Staging isn’t about making your home look fancy—it’s about making it feel aspirational.
The right furniture placement, styling, and color choices can make rooms look larger, brighter, and more inviting.

You don’t have to fully re-furnish your home. Light, strategic staging might mean:

• Removing extra furniture to maximize space

• Adding cozy throws, neutral pillows, and fresh towels

• Highlighting focal points like fireplaces, big windows, or high ceilings

• Making sure every room has a clear, defined purpose

📊 Stat to know: According to NAR, 58% of sellers’ agents said staging increased the dollar value of the home by at least 1% to 5%.

And in competitive markets? Smart staging can be the secret weapon that gets you multiple offers.

4. Minor Repairs and Quick Touch-Ups

Little flaws you’ve lived with for years?
Buyers see them—and sometimes they imagine bigger problems behind them.

Take the time to:

• Touch up scuffed walls and chipped paint

• Fix leaky faucets, loose handles, or squeaky doors

• Replace burned-out bulbs and broken screens

• Repair any obvious issues on the exterior, like missing fence slats or cracked walkways

These fixes might seem small, but together, they create a move-in-ready feeling that buyers love.

5. Boost Your Curb Appeal

You want buyers excited before they even open the front door.
First impressions are made in seconds, and curb appeal sets the tone.

Simple, effective upgrades:

• Power wash the exterior, walkways, and driveway

• Refresh flowerbeds with new mulch

• Trim bushes, trees, and hedges neatly

• Add a new doormat and maybe a cheerful potted plant

📊 Stat: Homes with high curb appeal sell for an average of 7% more than similar homes with less attractive exteriors (according to a 2019 University of Texas study).

The Bottom Line:

Prepping your home isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Buyers have endless options online.
When they walk into your home, they’re comparing it to everything else they’ve seen. You want your home to stand out as polished, fresh, and ready to welcome them in.

The good news?
You don't have to figure it all out yourself.

I offer complimentary prep consultations for my sellers—so you know exactly where to spend your energy (and where not to).
Let's get your home ready to shine, sell quickly, and command top dollar.

✨ Smart prep. Strategic marketing. Real results.

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