10 things to DO, and 10 things NOT to do, when getting your home ready to sell
Monday, May 5, 2025
Thinking of getting your house ready to sell? The real estate market in New England, like the weather, is always changing, so here are some things you should do, and 10 things you can skip, during your preparations. If you have questions about any of these give me a shout at 860-966-1617!
Things you SHOULD NOT do:
1. Don’t totally remodel your kitchen and baths. Instead, a little facelift can go a long way. Consider changing the wallpaper and paint. Perhaps upgrade a fixture or two, replace hardware or lighting. Perhaps a bathroom tub or shower could be re-glazed.
2. Don’t replace the roof, but do make any necessary repairs of leaks, etc. If a roof is aging, a fair credit to the buyer could be determined during negotiations.
3. Don’t replace flooring, but if carpets are worn or stained, just remember: If it has a bad smell, it will be hard to sell! Avoid drastic changes in flooring materials between rooms.
4. If you can do it within a reasonable budget, fix cracks in driveway or walkways, especially if they are trip hazards.
5. Don’t replace doors; but if necessary you can repaint, refinish, and upgrade hardware.
6. Don’t replace tired heavy old drapes. Instead, just remove, clean, and store. They can be set aside for the buyer at closing.
7. Don’t do any major landscaping. Instead, simply showcase what you already have. Trim back landscape materials, mow and edge lawn, and use neutral brown mulch in beds. Potted plants and flowers will enhance curb appeal.
8. Don’t paint the exterior. Pressure wash, clean gutters, and trim back foliage and any overhanging trees.
9. Don’t ignore your decor. Staging is critical, and professional help usually pays off here, but you can do a few things yourself. Be careful with furniture placement! Don’t block walkways or doors. You want all your rooms to appear open and inviting.
10. Don’t overspend, but don’t look cheap. When making repairs or replacing hardware, fixtures, carpets, etc prior to listing, the quality should reflect the comparables in the area.
Things you SHOULD do:
1. Declutter/depersonalize. Clutter eats your equity, so declutter and deep clean! You want your spaces to look large and open. Don’t be afraid to put many of your things away in storage before showings begin.
2. Deep clean your property and tidy up. Clean carpets and they are ideally neutral color, tight low-pile. Remove any window treatments that are dark, drab, overly ornate, obstruct light or views, or broken. Wash windows. Be alert for any offensive odors, especially if you have pets, but do not use strong masking products.
3. Towels should be white or neutral, and neatly folded.
4. Paint with white or neutral colors.
5. Accessories. Use odd numbers (1-3-5 items) on coffee table. Less is more.
6. Ensure that all light bulbs are working. You want your home to appear lighter, brighter, and larger. If a light bulb is not working, the inspector will call the fixture inoperable.
7. Repair/replace things that aren’t working in your home. You want as clean an inspection report as possible! If you have the budget, it might help to pay for a pre-inspection.
8. Remove mats from bathroom and kitchen floors. They usually detract from photos.
9. Stage each room to highlight its use, accessorizing carefully but sparingly. We have a staging checklist we can provide, as well as staging services if you’d prefer to hire an expert.
10. Find a knowledgeable experienced realtor who understands the 2025 market. Be sure that professional photos will be taken that capture your home’s best features.
Please call me right away to get started at 860-966-1617 or email me at matt@mattsellsrealestate.com