Whether you’re moving to a new city, upgrading to a bigger space (or downgrading to a smaller one), or even wanting to flip a house for profit, deciding to put your house on the market can be a daunting ordeal.

Here’s a few things you can do before jumping in that can set you up for selling success!

Fix what’s broken

This step may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised what you can get used to while living in your home. For example. you may have “tuned-out” that leaky faucet or a squeaky ceiling fan. We’re all guilty!

However, a potential buyer will be turned off by any indication that the house isn’t in good shape.

Go ahead and invest the time and money into making sure every part of the house is in working order. Even down to the last lightbulb!

Consider also having a good handyman on speed dial to catch anything that comes up down the line.

Spruce up the interior or exterior paint

Now is also the perfect time to cover up any imperfections in the walls with a fresh coat of paint. This is a straightforward way to make your space feel fresh and new, ready for its new occupants.

Try to avoid bold colors—as much as you love that statement color, when selling a home, you want to make the place feel like a blank slate for the potential buyer.

Stick to neutral colors—beiges, “greiges,” whites, and light grays. This color range allows the buyer to better visualize making the space their own.

Give your home a deep clean

It may not be fun, but it’s necessary: now’s the time to properly deep clean your house.

First impressions are important! Dusty shelves, dirty floors, and weird smells can instantly turn off a buyer when they’re touring the space.

If you’re not the type to keep your house meticulously clean, consider hiring a professional service to do it for you. But this is one step you should not avoid.

Declutter and depersonalize

While you’re getting your house cleaned, take the opportunity to declutter and organize. You would be surprised how much larger and more open a room can feel with a little less furniture and stuff in it.

Leave enough pieces to properly convey the purpose of the space but cut back on everything else. Make sure what’s left is organized in a neat, orderly way that shows off the house’s storage solutions.

It may feel somewhat empty to you, but again, a buyer needs to see the potential of the space more than your things in it.  It is also wise to remove any personal photographs or memorabilia that would distract a buyer from viewing the house as their own.

Remember, they want to imagine themselves living there. They don’t want to be reminded time and time again it’s someone else’s home!

Professionally stage and photograph

If you really want to make an impact on the market, hire professionals to stage your home and photograph it. With their expertise in interior decorating and home photography, they can make sure that your house looks amazing.

This will mean more visits on key realty websites and more seriously qualified buyers! It’s an investment that is well worth it for anyone interested in maximizing the sale price of their home.

Preparing your house for the market is not an easy task. Making sure you put the work in ensures you have the best chance at catching the eye of the person who will ultimately buy your home.