Selling your home is a big step—and first impressions matter. Whether you’re aiming for a quick sale or the highest offer, preparing your home properly can make all the difference. Here are 10 practical tips and tricks to help you showcase your home’s best features and win over potential buyers.

1. Boost Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see - it actually only takes 15 seconds for a buyer to make up their mind about the home. Mow the lawn, trim hedges, power wash the driveway, and add fresh mulch or flowers to create a welcoming vibe. Even a new doormat or house numbers can make a subtle but powerful impact.

2. Declutter Every Room

Less is more when it comes to staging. Remove excess furniture, pack away personal items, and clear countertops. A decluttered space looks bigger and helps buyers picture themselves living there.

3. Deep Clean Everything

A sparkling clean home shows buyers that you’ve taken good care of it. Scrub bathrooms and kitchens, clean windows, wipe down baseboards, and dust ceiling fans. Don’t forget less obvious spots like light switches and cabinet handles.

4. Neutralize Your Decor

Bold colors and unique styles can be distracting. Paint walls in neutral tones like beige, gray, or soft white to appeal to more buyers. Swap out loud decor for simple, classic accents.

5. Make Small Repairs

Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, cracked tiles, or any minor issues that might make buyers worry about maintenance.

Have extra $$ to invest? These home repairs can make your home feel move-in ready.

6. Stage Key Spaces

Focus on staging high-impact rooms like the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen. Use minimal, tasteful decor to highlight each space’s purpose. If your home is empty, consider renting a few pieces of furniture to give buyers a better sense of scale.

Check out these do's and don'ts!

7. Brighten Up the Lighting

Good lighting makes a home feel warm and inviting. Open blinds to let in natural light, replace dim bulbs, and add lamps in dark corners. Bright spaces feel more spacious and cheerful.

8. Organize Closets and Storage

Buyers will peek inside closets—make sure they’re tidy and not overstuffed. Consider donating unused items to free up space. Organized storage signals that the home has plenty of room.

9. Highlight Outdoor Living Areas

Show off patios, decks, or backyard spaces by arranging outdoor furniture, adding potted plants, and cleaning up any debris. With outdoor spaces more desirable than ever, these areas can be big selling points.

But, avoid these mistakes!

10. Get a Pre-Listing Inspection

Consider hiring a home inspector before listing. This can help you identify any issues early, avoid surprises during negotiations, and build buyer confidence by showing you’ve addressed potential problems upfront.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your home for sale takes effort, but it pays off. By creating a clean, welcoming, and well-maintained space, you’ll increase your chances of attracting serious buyers—and better offers.

Thinking of selling? Reach out to the Kim Devlin Team to guide you through the process!