You don’t need a full remodel to make your home stand out. Thoughtful preparation and staging can help
you sell faster and for a stronger price. This guide walks you through practical steps to get your home
show-ready. To see how prep fits into the full process, visit
Your Home Selling Timeline or
What to Expect When You List With Us.
Step 1: Focus on First Impressions (Curb Appeal)
Buyers form an opinion before they ever reach the front door. Simple curb appeal improvements include:
- Freshly mowed lawn and trimmed shrubs
- Cleared walkways and swept porches
- Fresh mulch or rock in planting beds
- Clean exterior light fixtures and house numbers
- A welcoming doormat and tidy entry area
These changes are often inexpensive but can significantly improve perceived value. To understand how
presentation influences pricing, review
Home Value & Pricing Strategy.
Step 2: Declutter and Depersonalize
Buyers need to imagine themselves living in the home. That’s much easier when spaces feel open, calm,
and less personal.
- Pack away excess decor, collections, and personal photo walls
- Clear counters in kitchens and bathrooms
- Remove or store oversized furniture that makes rooms feel small
- Edit closets to 50–60% full to signal ample storage
If you’re preparing over time, a simple room-by-room plan aligned with your
Home Selling Timeline
can make this feel manageable instead of overwhelming.
Step 3: Deep Clean for a “Move-In Ready” Feel
A clean home tells buyers it has been well cared for. Key areas to focus on:
- Baseboards, trim, and doors
- Windows, tracks, and blinds
- Kitchen appliances, cabinets, and grout
- Bathrooms, tile, glass, and fixtures
- Floors, carpets, and high-traffic areas
If you prefer not to do this yourself, we can connect you with trusted cleaning vendors as part of your
overall plan. See
What to Expect When You List With Us
for how vendor support fits into the full process.
Step 4: Light Updates & Simple Repairs
Not every improvement is worth doing, but some small changes can have a big impact:
- Fresh, neutral interior paint in main living areas
- Updated light fixtures and cabinet hardware
- Repairing obvious damage (holes, loose railings, leaky faucets)
- Replacing burned-out bulbs and dated switch plates
We’ll prioritize items that help your home appraise well and compete strongly in your price range.
For pricing context, visit
Home Value & Pricing Strategy.
Step 5: Staging Strategy
Staging doesn’t always mean bringing in all new furniture. It can be as simple as:
- Rearranging existing furniture to open walkways and sightlines
- Adding neutral bedding, pillows, and throws
- Using a few simple accessories to highlight focal points
- Removing heavy drapes to let in more natural light
For some homes, professional staging or partial staging is the best choice. We’ll help match the
approach to your budget and potential return.
Step 6: Photo-Ready & Showing-Ready Checklist
Before photography and each showing, a quick reset makes a big difference:
- Open blinds and curtains to maximize light
- Turn on all interior lights
- Clear counters and hide trash cans
- Make beds and tidy bedrooms
- Secure valuables and sensitive documents
- Remove pet items and, if possible, pets for showings
These habits help maintain a strong first impression throughout your time on the market. For how long
each stage typically lasts, see the
Home Selling Timeline.
How Prep & Staging Affect Your Bottom Line
The right prep can:
- Increase buyer interest and showing traffic
- Support a stronger list price
- Improve appraisal outcomes
- Reduce repair requests after inspection
To see how different price points and scenarios impact your proceeds, use the
Seller Net Sheet.
You can also review market context on the
Local Market Update.
Request a Personalized Prep & Staging Plan
Get a simple, room-by-room plan tailored to your home, budget, and timeline.