How to Get Your House Ready to Sell

Selling your home isn’t just about putting up a “For Sale” sign and waiting for offers — it’s about presenting your home in its best possible light so it stands out in a crowded market.

Whether you’re hoping to sell quickly, attract multiple offers, or simply get the best possible price, taking time to properly prepare your home can make a major difference in how your listing performs. From repairs and deep cleaning to staging and listing photos, each step plays a key role in how buyers perceive your property.

While it might feel overwhelming at first, breaking the process down into manageable tasks can help you move forward with confidence.

Getting a house ready to sell checklist

We'll go into more detail about how to prepare your house for sale, but this quick checklist can be a great starting point to keep you organized, focused, and not overwhelmed.

Prepare to list

• Hire a listing agent, meeting with two or three to find the best fit
• Schedule a pre-listing home inspection
• Review the inspection report to prioritize repairs, determining what you can fix and what you will disclose

Assess for common repairs

• Tighten door and cabinet hardware
• Fix squeaky doors and windows
• Patch tile and grout
• Re-caulk tubs, sinks, windows
• Address plumbing issues
• Test and fix lights, fans, and outlets
• Replace missing/broken detectors
• Touch up peeling paint
• Repair railings, steps, deck boards
• Clean and fix gutters
• Patch cracks in driveway or walkways
• Get replacement estimates for the roof, HVAC, and water heater

Declutter

• Remove extra furniture
• Clear counters and tabletops
• Leave 30% space in closets and cabinets
• Pack away seasonal items and small appliances
• Rent a storage unit (if needed)
• Organize garage, attic, and basement
• Hide pet beds, bowls, and toys

Depersonalize

• Remove family photos and personal decor
• Take down religious items and memorabilia
• Replace bold art with neutral pieces
• Store lawn ornaments and welcome signs
• Slipcover or store loudly patterned furniture

Deep clean and tackle odors

• Scrub bathrooms and kitchen
• Clean inside all appliances
• Wipe walls, doors, switches, and baseboards
• Wash windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces
• Dust vents, fans, blinds, and shelves
• Shampoo carpets, wash drapes, mop floors, clean upholstery
• Clean cabinets, drawers, and light fixtures
• Clean trash cans, disposals, and fridge
• Ventilate the house
• Use subtle scents (e.g., lemon or linen)
• Ask a friend or agent to do a smell check

Address curb appeal

• Mow the lawn and edge flower beds
• Trim trees and bushes
• Pull weeds and remove dead plants
• Sweep porches, sidewalks, driveway
• Repaint or clean the front door
• Clean house numbers and lighting
• Add a neutral doormat and subtle decor
• Remove clutter, toys, and tools from the yard

Build out your real estate listing

• Consult or hire a stager
• Schedule professional real estate photography
• Write or review a strong listing description

Gather your documents

• Mortgage payoff statement
• Homeowners insurance and claims
• Mandatory disclosures (based on state; consult with agent)
• Deed to the home
• Original purchase documents
• Property tax bill and utility statements
• HOA rules, fees, contact info (if applicable)
• Manuals and warranties for appliances/systems
• Records of repairs, upgrades, and maintenance

Prepare for showings

• Remove valuables: jewelry, cash, meds, electronics
• Lock up sensitive paperwork and personal documents
• Make beds and tidy surfaces
• Open curtains and turn on lights

How to get your house ready to sell

Find an experienced listing agent

Selling a home can feel like a full-time job, but finding a skilled real estate agent can save you time, stress, and even money. A great agent will help you avoid costly mistakes, attract serious buyers, and ultimately sell your home faster and for the best price.

An experienced listing agent handles key aspects of your home sale, including:

• Home preparation: Identifying necessary repairs, cleaning, and updates to maximize appeal
• Pricing strategy: Advising on the best listing price based on local market conditions
• Marketing and presentation: Coordinating professional photography, staging, and crafting a compelling, keyword-optimized listing description
• Exposure: Marketing your home across multiple online platforms to attract buyers
• Showings: Scheduling and managing tours with prospective buyers
• Paperwork and compliance: Handling complex contracts, disclosures, and required documentation
• Coordination: Working with inspectors, appraisers, and buyers’ agents to keep the process moving
• Negotiation: Helping you evaluate offers and secure the best possible terms
• Vendor referrals: Connecting you with trusted contractors and obtaining estimates when needed

Aside from significantly lightening your workload, here's why working with an agent is worth it:

• Sell for top dollar. Proper pricing, market timing, and strategic upgrades can significantly impact your profit.
• Sell faster. Agents have access to exclusive buyer networks and know how to avoid common selling pitfalls.
• Sell with less hassle. From coordinating with inspectors to dealing with buyer financing issues, agents keep everything on track.

If sifting through agent profiles sounds overwhelming, we can help. Just answer a few quick questions, and we’ll send you recommendations for experienced, vetted agents in your area. We even negotiate commission rates on your behalf, helping you save thousands.

Consider getting a home inspection

You probably remember getting a home inspection when you bought your house, but many sellers don’t think to get one before listing. While the upfront cost can range from $300 to $1,000 or more (depending on your home’s size and any add-ons like radon or well water testing), a pre-listing inspection can give you a clearer picture of your home’s condition, and help you make decisions about repairs and pricing.

Just keep in mind that most buyers will still need to obtain their own separate inspection (often required by their lender) but you’ll already have done the work of identifying potential issues and getting ahead of them, which can make for a smoother, faster transaction.

Identify necessary home repairs

Before you do anything else—like deep cleaning or scheduling photos—take care of the repairs.

Note that sometimes, sellers and buyers can negotiate with one another to share the cost of major repairs like electrical or structural issues, but it’s typically best to let skilled real estate agents lead those negotiations, both to help with mediation and to avoid potential legal issues.

Here are a few of the tasks you’ll want to consider:

Fix small, visible issues buyers will notice

Tackle everyday pet peeves and small repairs first, like stuck windows, squeaky doors, or cabinets hanging off their hinges. Even a loose doorknob can signal neglect. Small issues often feel like bigger red flags to buyers.

Address plumbing and electrical concerns

Some banks won’t approve mortgages for a home with an outdated circuit breaker, or well water problems. While these can be more expensive than the small fixes, they need to be addressed to avoid slow-downs.

Touch up or replace damaged finishes

Check for cracked tiles, chipped grout, worn caulking around tubs or windows, or peeling paint — especially outside. Not only do these issues look unkempt, but they can also impact loan approval, particularly for FHA buyers.

Evaluate structural and exterior elements

Look for loose or missing deck boards, damaged railings, slanting floors, or cracks in walkways and driveways. Clean out the gutters and make sure they’re securely attached. While you don’t always need to fully replace aging exterior materials, addressing obvious safety issues is important.

Get replacement estimates for aging systems

If your roof, HVAC, or water heater is near the end of its lifespan but still functional, it’s a good idea to get a professional estimate for replacement. This helps you prepare for negotiations and shows buyers you’ve done your due diligence, even if you’re not planning to replace anything upfront.

Declutter your living spaces and storage areas

Many buyers are looking for a new home, in part because they want more space. Even “organized clutter” can make the home feel more cramped, and signal to buyers that this isn’t the one for them.

Consider these decluttering tips.

Aim for about 30% empty space in closets

This applies to drawers and cabinets as well. Leave room to breathe so buyers can easily imagine their own belongings fitting in.

Consider renting a storage unit

Rather than cramming things into the garage or closets to hide them, consider a short-term storage unit. It may even save you time when moving day comes, since you’ll already have so much packed up.

Keep surfaces clear and tidy

Counters, tables, and desks should be as clutter-free as possible. Store away daily-use items like mail, toiletries, remote controls, and dishes when not in use.

Remove oversized or excess furniture

Too much furniture can make even large rooms feel cramped. If you have pieces that block walkways or crowd the space, consider removing or storing them. Other objects like desktop fans or air purifiers can also be distracting, so remove those whenever possible.

Don’t forget the garage, attic, or basement

These storage-heavy spaces are easy to overlook, but buyers won’t. Clear out as much as you can, neatly stack what’s left, and sweep or vacuum the floors. A clean, organized garage or basement helps buyers see the full potential of the space instead of being distracted by clutter or cobwebs.

Avoid leaving pet-related items out during showings

Even if you have the cleanest dog or cat in the world, pet toys and bedding can turn buyers off, especially if they’re concerned about lingering odors or allergens in the home. Stow away as many pet items as you can, and take your pets with you when you leave for showings if possible.

Depersonalize and clean

Once the clutter is cleared, it’s time to create a clean, neutral environment that lets buyers imagine themselves in the space. This means removing personal items like family photos, bold decor, and anything too taste-specific.

Now, since you’ve decluttered and stowed away personal items, you’ll have plenty of space to give your home an ultra-deep clean. Not only can personal items be a turnoff for potential homebuyers, but your personal odors—like pets, cooking, personal fragrances, or lingering cigarette smoke—can turn them off even more.

Here are a few things you’ll want to be sure to address:

Personal photos, memorabilia, and collections

Buyers can get distracted by your life story, or feel like a guest in someone else's home. Tuck away family portraits, religious items, and any highly specific decor.

Bold style choices and loud furniture

Bright accent walls, bold wallpaper, and themed rooms can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves in the space. A fresh coat of neutral paint can make a big difference. If large furniture pieces feel dated or visually loud, consider storing them or using simple slipcovers to tone them down. Just be sure to clean any upholstered items first—slipcovers can hide patterns, wear, and tear, but not odors.

Exterior decor

Take down personalized lawn ornaments, overly themed welcome signs, or holiday decor. Your outdoor spaces should feel welcoming and tidy, but not overly specific to your tastes.

Odors (and nose-blindness)

This is a big one. Odors can be a major turn-off for buyers—the problem is, you may not even notice they’re there due to nose-blindness. Be sure to have a friend or your listing agent stop by and let you know if they smell anything unappealing that you can’t.

To nip any and all odors in the bud, be sure to shampoo the carpets and upholstery, and wash curtains and linens. Deep clean your fridge, garbage disposal, and trash cans. Get some mildly-scented plug-ins, and make sure the home smells fresh and clean before showings.

If necessary, look up professional odor-removing services in your area, especially if the home had several pets or someone smoked in it.

Common areas, windows, and appliances

Deep clean your kitchen and bathrooms, focusing on sinks, tubs, toilets, and tile. Scrub the inside of appliances like the oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator. Clean windows thoroughly (inside and out) and polish every mirror to a streak-free shine.

Overlooked areas and outdoor spaces

Wipe down light switches, outlet covers, doors, and scuffed walls. Dust baseboards, vents, and fan blades, especially in rooms with natural light, where every speck shows. Clean windowsills, cabinet fronts, and hardware. Powerwash your driveway, patio, siding, fencing, and any other outdoor space that hasn’t had a good scrub in a while.

Boost curb appeal with small exterior updates

Think of your exterior as the first room buyers see: it should feel clean, neutral, and welcoming.

The good news is that there’s no need to hire a landscaper or repaint all the siding. Small, simple fixes can make a big difference.

Make the front door shine

A clean, freshly painted front door with polished hardware can instantly elevate your entryway. If you have a glass storm door, make sure that’s cleaned and streak-free. Consider adding a new, neutral welcome mat, a simple wreath, and maybe a potted plant or two.

Check your house numbers and lighting

Patio lighting can quickly become inundated with bugs and spiderwebs, so get them cleaned up and sparkling, and make sure the lights are fully functional in preparation for any evening showings. If your house numbers are outdated, worn, broken, or missing, replace those, and make sure they’re visible from the street.

Keep walkways clear and tidy

Sweep porches and sidewalks, remove leaves and cobwebs, and pull any weeds growing between cracks or pavers. Store away anything that doesn’t belong, like toys, garden tools, or faded décor, and make sure any outdoor furniture is clean and neatly arranged.

Tidy up the landscaping

Mow the grass, edge along sidewalks and flower beds, and trim overgrown bushes or tree branches that block windows or paths. Remove any dead plants, rake leaves, and refresh mulch if you have it. If you’re short on time, focus on creating a neat, low-maintenance look that suggests the yard has been cared for, not neglected.

Prepare your home listing

Your listing is your home’s first impression online, where buyers will either fall in love or scroll past. High-quality photos, staging, and a strong listing description all work together to make your home stand out.

This is another area where a listing agent can be a big help. Some may even offer professional staging and photography as part of their service package.

Here’s what you’ll want to focus on:

Staging

Staging is the process of arranging furniture and decor in a way that helps buyers envision themselves living there, and it's been shown to get houses sold faster and for better prices.

There are a couple of ways you can go about it:

• Hire a professional stager. Professional home stagers know exactly what buyers want to see, and can either loan you furniture and decor, work with what you have, or some combination of the two. Some listing agents offer complimentary staging as well.
• DIY. Once you’ve decluttered and cleaned, staging could be as simple as switching linens out for neutral colors, or borrowing decor items from friends and family to give your home some character.

Typically, staging is done in a totally vacant home, so while it’s ideal when you can move out before listing, it’s definitely not required.

Photography

In 2024, NAR found that 41% of home buyers said photography was the most valuable part of a real estate listing for them—more valuable than any other aspect of a listing.[1] Snapping a few photos of the house with a cell phone won’t do your listing any favors, especially in a competitive market. Look for pro real estate photographers, or ask if your listing agent offers this as part of their services.

Listing description

A strong listing description should be clear, honest, compelling, and no longer than about 250 words including the headline. It’s your chance to tell buyers what makes your home special, not just with features, but with lifestyle. Think: "sunny kitchen perfect for weekend brunch" or "quiet backyard with space to unwind." Your agent can help craft this language in a way that balances emotion and detail, while still keeping things grounded and accurate.

Get your documents in order

The documents you’ll need in order to sell your house will vary from state to state. This is where a listing agent comes in handy: not only can they tell you exactly what documents you need for your state, they can also sometimes obtain those documents for you, or connect with an attorney or title insurance company who can.

If you’re opting to sell your home on your own, it’s recommended that you do some additional research, or contact an attorney or real estate agent, to find out exactly what documents you’ll need for the jurisdiction your home is in.

In general, regardless of your state, you’ll want to have the following documents on hand:

Mortgage payoff statement

Obtain this from your lender. It will need to go to the title agency or attorney doing the closing, so they can get your mortgage paid off with the proceeds from the sale.

Homeowners insurance history

This isn’t always required, but providing documentation of your insurance coverage (and any past claims) helps buyers understand what’s been repaired or replaced, and what to expect in terms of coverage and costs.

Mandatory disclosures

Each state has different rules, but sellers are generally required to disclose known issues that could affect the home’s value or safety. These include things like water damage, mold, pest infestations, and the presence of lead paint (mandatory nationwide for homes built before 1978). A real estate agent can provide the correct forms based on your state’s requirements.

Deed to the home

If you still have a copy of the original deed from your purchase, set it aside now. You’ll need it at closing. If you’ve misplaced it, your local recorder’s office or title company can help retrieve a copy.

Original purchase documents

While they usually aren’t required to close on the sale of your home, these can help your agent determine your starting price and provide historical transparency to buyers.

Property tax records and recent utility bills

Your latest property tax bill will be used to calculate prorated taxes at closing, depending on local regulations. Including recent utility bills for things like electricity, gas, water, and internet, is considerate, helping buyers estimate monthly expenses and inform their decisions. If your utility costs are particularly low (for example, due to energy-efficient installations) this could also be a selling point.

HOA documents (if applicable)

If your home is part of a homeowners association, you’ll need to provide the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions), as well as information on fees, amenities, and contact details.

Manuals and warranties

Collect manuals and warranty documents for anything that will stay with the house — including the HVAC system, water heater, appliances, security systems, and more. If you’re missing some manuals, many manufacturers offer them for free online. Try an online search for the make and model of the appliance or system you need a manual for.

Records of repairs, upgrades, and maintenance

Create a folder with receipts, permits, and contractor information for any major repairs or updates, from roof replacements to remodels. Even routine maintenance (like HVAC servicing or pest control) can give the new homeowners a starting point should they need to contact any of those vendors or contractors in the future.

Hide or remove valuables before showings

Even with a trusted real estate agent and scheduled tours, it’s smart to take precautions when strangers will be walking through your home. Before any showings, remove or securely store valuables like jewelry, watches, cash, firearms, prescription medications, and important documents. If you have small electronics, heirlooms, or collectibles that are difficult to replace, those should be tucked away too.

While theft during a showing is rare, it’s not unheard of, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Locking items in a safe, storing them off-site, or bringing them with you during showings are all good options. The same goes for sensitive paperwork, like passports, financial records, or anything that includes personal information.

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