From the moment a homeowner decides to sell to the day the home actually hits the market, the timeline typically spans a few months. There is much that needs to be done during these months, including preparing the property, completing repairs, and meeting with real estate and staging professionals. During this period, sellers often feel a mix of excitement, overwhelm, sentimentality, and stress as they navigate both the logistics and the emotions of leaving a familiar space.
Task #1: Start Decluttering Early
Decluttering a home often takes anywhere from several days to a few weeks, and most sellers underestimate how much time and energy it truly requires. Starting the process months before listing is ideal, giving you space to make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of a looming deadline. To keep it efficient, work room by room, create clear keep/toss/donate categories, and consider bringing in a professional organizer or stager to guide the process.
Task #2: Select a Neutral Color Palette
Neutral color palettes such as soft whites, warm beiges, and subtle earth tones create a universally welcoming backdrop that appeals to the widest range of buyers. These hues make spaces feel cleaner, brighter, and more move-in-ready while helping buyers imagine their own furniture and lifestyle in the home. Giving each room a fresh coat of paint is one of the highest ROI updates you can make, especially if existing colors are bold, dated, or worn.
Task #3: Update Light Fixtures
Lighting heavily influences both style and first impressions. Outdated or builder-grade light fixtures can instantly make a home feel older, less cared for, and lower in value because. You don’t need to replace every single fixture, but updating the most visible ones (entryway, kitchen, dining, bathrooms, and primary bedroom) creates the biggest impact. We recommend clean, timeless styles that feel fresh and broadly appealing.
Task #4: Create Additional Curb Appeal
Curb appeal sets the tone for a showing. Even the most charming home can benefit from small upgrades that make it feel clean, fresh, and well maintained. There are always improvements to be made, whether it’s simple landscaping, refreshing mulch, or updating hardware. These details elevate the buyer’s first impression. For a wow-worthy entry, we recommend a freshly painted or power-washed front door, updated house numbers, tidy landscaping, and clean, inviting outdoor lighting.
Task #5: Strategically Stage for Functional Flow
The flow of a home can make or break a sale because buyers quickly sense whether a space feels functional and comfortable to live in. Awkward or undefined areas can be hard to overlook, but fortunately, major construction, like moving walls, is rarely necessary when selling. Instead, strategic furniture placement, area rugs, and thoughtful staging can clarify pathways, define zones, and dramatically improve how the home “lives” during showings.
Decluttering, painting, and staging a home well takes time. Reach out today so we can set you up for a successful sale later this year!
Cheers,
Christa
