Preparing Your Home to Sell

Exterior: start with curb appeal.

Make sure your lawn is mowed and edged. If keeping up with it is difficult, a scheduled lawn service can take one task off your showing-day list. Trim shrubs and arrange appropriate professional help for trees or hard-to-reach areas.

• Add a few flowers or planters if they suit the entry; keep paths clear and easy to use.
• Sweep sidewalks and pathways. Put away toys, papers and outdoor tools.
• Clean windows and arrange repair of cracked glass, damaged screens or windows that do not operate correctly.
• Have gutters and downspouts cleared safely. Investigate drainage problems rather than treating them as cosmetic issues.
• Address peeling exterior paint with suitable preparation and repair any underlying damage.
• Clean door hardware and check that locks and the doorbell work. Replace worn items when necessary.
• Keep the garage door closed under the showing plan, and make the front entrance the clear point of arrival.

Interior: clean, repair and create room.

Remove unnecessary clutter so buyers can see the space. Put papers away, clear kitchen and bathroom counters, and wash and put away dishes. Pack some personal displays early and secure private documents, medications and valuables; the home can still feel welcoming.

• Clean carpets and other flooring. Discuss replacement only where condition and budget justify it; keep new finishes compatible with the home.
• Wash marked walls or repaint where needed. A consistent, neutral palette can make rooms easier to read.
• Check that doors and windows open and close properly. Use material-appropriate care rather than forcing a sticking mechanism.
• Arrange agreed repairs to damaged plaster, lifting wallpaper or squeaking floorboards. Use qualified help when the task calls for it.
• Investigate leaks or recurring damage before painting or caulking, and keep records of repairs.
• Edit extra furniture and store packing boxes where they do not hide usable rooms or garage space.
• A small indoor plant or simple vase of fresh flowers can add warmth without crowding a surface.

Before a showing or open house.

Once the larger jobs are finished, keep the final reset simple. Clean surfaces, comfortable light and clear walking routes do more than an elaborate staging ritual.

• Clear tabletops, desks and shelves of loose everyday items.
• Open window coverings as appropriate and turn on needed lights; balance daylight with glare and privacy.
• Put out clean towels and reset bathrooms and kitchens.
• Turn off distracting televisions and keep private computer screens out of view.
• Keep scents neutral. Deal with the source of an odor rather than using strong fragrance, a candle or a warming oven to cover it.
• Arrange a safe, comfortable plan for pets away from the showing activity.

Plan hosting and access in advance.

Agree with your agent who will host an open house, how visitors will enter and how personal items will be secured. If you are hosting any visit yourself, arrange appropriate adult support and keep a phone and a clear exit available. Do not improvise access while also managing pets, visitors and last-minute chores.

The goal is a well-presented home and a manageable routine—not a promise that every improvement will pay for itself. Discuss known condition issues and required disclosures as part of preparing to list.