Getting your home ready to sell does not mean you need to completely renovate it or spend a large amount of money before putting it on the market.

In many cases, the best results come from taking care of the basics: decluttering, addressing obvious maintenance issues, improving curb appeal, gathering important information, preparing the home for photography, and making sure it is easy for buyers to see.

The goal is simple: present the home in its best possible condition while avoiding unnecessary spending.

Here are seven things I recommend Metro Detroit homeowners do before listing their home for sale.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to improve how a home shows is to remove excess belongings.

Buyers want to see the house, not everything inside it.

Start by going room by room and removing items you do not regularly use. This may include extra furniture, boxes, countertop appliances, seasonal decorations, children's items, excess clothing, and personal collections.

You do not need to make the home look empty. The goal is to make each room feel open, organized, and easy to understand.

Pay particular attention to:

• Kitchen countertops

• Bathroom counters

• Closets

• Entryways

• Bedrooms

• Basement storage areas

• Garage space

Too much furniture can also make rooms appear smaller than they actually are. In some cases, simply removing one chair, table, or oversized piece of furniture can completely change how a room photographs and feels during a showing.

A clean, uncluttered home also helps buyers picture their own belongings in the space.

 

2.Take Care of Deferred Maintenance

Before worrying about expensive cosmetic upgrades, take care of items that are broken or not functioning properly.

These are often the same things that buyers notice during showings or that may come up later during a home inspection.

Walk through the property and look for issues such as:

• Leaking faucets or plumbing

• Loose or non-working electrical outlets

• Missing outlet or switch covers

• Doors that do not close or latch properly

• Windows that do not open, close, or lock correctly

• Loose cabinet doors or handles

• Damaged light fixtures

• Running toilets

• Peeling caulk around tubs or showers

• Loose handrails

• Broken screens

• Minor drywall damage

You do not necessarily need to replace older items simply because they are dated.

There is a big difference between something being older and something being broken.

A buyer may be perfectly comfortable with an older bathroom or kitchen if it is clean and functional. A leaking faucet, broken window, or door that will not close can create a very different impression.

Addressing basic maintenance before listing can also help reduce surprises when the buyer completes their inspection.

Buyers begin forming an opinion of your home before they ever walk through the front door.

That makes the exterior particularly important.

Fortunately, improving curb appeal does not always require a major landscaping project.

Start with the basics.

• Mow and edge the lawn.

• Trim overgrown bushes.

• Remove weeds.

• Clean up leaves and debris.

• Remove dead plants.

• Sweep the porch and walkway.

• Clean the front door.

• Make sure exterior lights are working.

• Remove unnecessary items from the driveway and yard.

• If mulch beds look tired, adding fresh mulch can sometimes make a significant visual improvement for relatively little money.

• The front entrance deserves extra attention because buyers will often stand there for a minute or two while their agent accesses the lockbox.

During that time, they are looking around.

Make sure the door opens properly, the porch is clean, the doorbell works, and the entrance feels maintained.

Preparing documentation before listing can make the transaction smoother and help answer buyer questions.

Start gathering information about the property before the home goes on the market.

Depending on your situation, this may include:

• Recent property tax information

• Mortgage payoff information

• Existing surveys

• Previous inspection reports

• Permits for major improvements

• Receipts for renovations or repairs

• Roof replacement information

• Furnace and air-conditioning information

• Water heater information

• Transferable warranties

• Appliance information

• City certificates or rental documentation, if applicable

• Homeowners association documents, if applicable

• For investment properties, you may also need leases, rental history, security deposit information, and other documentation.

You do not necessarily need every receipt from every repair you have ever made.

What is helpful is knowing when major components of the property were replaced or updated.

Buyers frequently ask questions such as, "How old is the roof?" or "When was the furnace replaced?"

Having that information available can make the home easier to market and can give buyers more confidence.

Pricing is one of the most important decisions you will make when selling your home.

It should not be based solely on what a neighbor listed their house for, an online estimate, or the amount you hope to receive.

The best pricing strategy looks at what buyers are currently seeing in the market.

That includes:

• Recent comparable sales

• Homes currently competing with yours

• Pending sales

• Property condition

• Updates and improvements

• Location

• Lot characteristics

• Square footage and layout

• Days on market

• Recent buyer activity

• The condition of your home compared with competing properties is particularly important.

A professionally updated home may appeal to a different buyer than a home that needs significant work.

Before selecting a list price, I like to look at the property through the buyer's perspective.

If a buyer has several homes to choose from in the same price range, how does yours compare?

The goal is not simply to put the highest possible number on the listing.

The goal is to position the property where buyers see strong value and are motivated to schedule a showing.

Most buyers will see your home online before they ever see it in person.

That means the first showing is often happening on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Professional photography is extremely important, but the photographer can only photograph what is in front of the camera.

Before photography day, the home should be clean, organized, and as clutter-free as possible.

I recommend:

• Clearing kitchen counters
• Removing refrigerator magnets and paperwork
• Putting away toiletries
• Closing toilet lids
• Making beds
• Opening blinds and curtains
• Replacing burned-out light bulbs
• Removing unnecessary cords
• Putting away pet supplies
• Removing trash cans when possible
• Clearing excessive decorations
• Cleaning mirrors and glass
• Straightening furniture

The goal is not to make your home look like nobody lives there.

It is to create clean, attractive photographs that make buyers want to see more.

Small details can make a big difference once those images are displayed online.

Once the listing is active, buyers need an opportunity to experience the home in person.

That means preparing for showings before the first appointment is scheduled.

Try to develop a simple routine that can be completed quickly before leaving the house.

Before a showing:

• Make the beds.

• Clear countertops.

• Put away dishes.

• Open blinds and curtains.

• Turn on appropriate lights.

• Pick up toys and personal belongings.

• Remove pet waste.

• Empty overflowing trash cans.

• Make sure bathrooms are clean.

• Keep the temperature comfortable.

The easier the home is to show, the more opportunities buyers will have to see it.

Showing availability can matter, especially during the first several days that a property is on the market.

If a qualified buyer wants to see your home, you generally want to make that process as easy as reasonably possible.

You Do Not Need to Make Your Home Perfect

One of the biggest misconceptions sellers have is that their home needs to look brand new before it can be listed.

It does not.

A well-maintained, clean, properly priced home can be very attractive to buyers even if some finishes are older.

Before spending thousands of dollars on renovations, determine what actually needs to be done.

Sometimes replacing something makes sense.

Sometimes repairing it makes sense.

Sometimes cleaning it is enough.

And sometimes the best decision is to leave it alone and price the home accordingly.

Every property and every seller's situation is different.

Start Preparing Before You Are Ready to List

You do not have to wait until you are ready to put a sign in the yard to meet with a Realtor.

In fact, meeting a few weeks or even a few months before you plan to sell can be helpful.

It gives us time to walk through the property, identify priorities, review the market, and develop a plan without rushing.

I can help you determine what I would repair, what I would clean or improve, what I would leave alone, and where your money is most likely to have an impact.

If you are thinking about selling a home in Metro Detroit, I would be happy to walk through your property and help you create a realistic preparation and pricing strategy.

The goal is not to spend the most money preparing your home.

It is to spend your time and money where it will matter most.