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What would you say if I told you that preparing to sell your home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming? Often clients express being unsure about where to begin when they think about preparing their home to go on the market in the upcoming year. Do you have one of these examples happening in the coming months?
My plan takes away the overwhelm and serves as a guide for things to do so your home will show it’s best when it’s listed. It’s possible to complete some of these punch list tasks over a weekend. And others, will require more time that’s better spread out over a period of time.
All of the steps are broken into manageable quarterly tasks. You may find some areas are in good shape and you can skip ahead to what’s next. But, if you do have something to address in each of these areas, this plan will help laser focus on—eliminating feeling everything needs to happen at once.
The truth is everyone accumulates too much stuff. The shelves in the garage probably hold things from leftover home projects as well as toys and sports equipment the children have outgrown. The kitchen cupboards may include several sets of dishes or more bowls than you’ll every use, even when hosting your largest family gathering. You get the idea. It’s too easy to keep adding things and when you’re ready to list your home, this is the time to make some changes. Do your best to avoid taking unwanted things to your next home.
Uncluttering begins with dividing things into what you want to keep, donate, or items that are worn/broken and ready for the trash. The ultimate goal in decluttering (when your plan includes listing your home) is to create a neutral, less-personal space. This approach helps a potential buyer imagine themselves and their belongings living in your home.
As you move from room to room, use this time to do a deep clean. Focus on every surface from the ceilings to the baseboards. Steam the carpets. Polish the floors. Wash the windows. Treat this as you would your annual spring cleaning.
Make note any needed major repairs and make plans to have these areas taken care of. Consider the age of the roof and its overall condition. Look for signs of water damage or leaks. Any signs of cracks or issues that need addressed? This is the time to make plans for repair and talk with a professional if you have any concerns.
If you’re handy, you can tackle the needed repairs yourself. Hiring a professional for the larger projects or those you don’t have time to do is another option. For now, focus on necessary repairs to bring everything up to peak performance and in good working order.
Now, let’s move on to some home improvements. This is where you take care of any squeaky door hinges you’ve been ignoring. Replace the worn cupboard drawer pulls. Put an end to the slow drip in the bathroom sink and tackle other cosmetic improvements that need attention. Walk through each room and consider where an improvement would enhance the appearance or function of the room.
If it’s been a while since the rooms have been painted, use this time to apply a fresh coat of paint. You can’t go wrong with neutral colors. Don’t forget to freshen up both the interior and exterior areas.
This is also a good time to ensure your home systems are in good working order. Think of the HVAC system, the pool’s cleaning and filtration system, the garage door opener, the home security system, and other related home systems unique to your home.
Just as you walked through the interior areas of your home, give this same attention to the landscaping. Consider your home’s curb appeal. How does it look when you drive up to the home from a few houses away? Can you easily find the house number?
This is the time to add more flowers. Consider replacing or removing plants, shrubs, and trees that have reached maturity or died. Mow the lawn. Don’t overlook adding colorful potted plants to the front porch or along the front walkway. If you have a back patio or pool area, give these areas the same attention with fresh and colorful plantings as well as pruning existing plants, as needed.
Arrange the outdoor furniture to create serene seating areas that are ideal for conversation or watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee. Home staging outdoors is just as important as staging interior spaces.
When staging your interior rooms think about creating space and flow. Need a hand with home staging? Please ask. I’m happy to bring in my trusted professionals to help work through any challenging areas to showcase each room’s best features.
The final touches before taking listing photos can include things such as:
All the things to create a neutral, less-personal space.
Reach out today to start the conversation. It’s my honor to serve you and help you make this process as smooth as possible.
Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, #2 in 2022, #5 in 2023 and 2024. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.
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