How to Get Your Home Ready for the Market in 30 Days

Selling your home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re working with a tight timeline. But with a focused plan and a little elbow grease, you can get your home market-ready in just 30 days. Here’s a simple guide to help you tackle the process and make sure your home shines for potential buyers.

Start by decluttering every room. Go through closets, cabinets, and storage spaces to get rid of anything you don’t need. Remember, less is more when it comes to selling—buyers want to see the space, not your stuff. Consider renting a storage unit if necessary, and donate or sell everything extra.

Next, give your home a deep clean. Scrub floors, wipe down walls, clean baseboards, and make sure every nook and cranny is spotless. If it feels like too much to tackle, don’t shy away from hiring a professional cleaning service. A clean home feels well cared for and leaves a great first impression.

Now that your home is clean and decluttered, it’s time to handle any small repairs or maintenance issues you’ve been putting off. Fix leaky faucets, tighten loose cabinet handles, patch up holes in the walls, and touch up paint where needed. Don’t forget the little things like squeaky doors or burnt-out light bulbs. These small items go a long way to making a home feel well-maintained.

Next, take a critical look at your home’s exterior. Curb appeal matters (a lot!), so make sure your lawn is mowed, bushes are trimmed, and flower beds are weeded.  Rake the fall leaves, clean the gutters if necessary, power wash the siding, and make sure the front door looks inviting. Add some seasonal decor, flowers or greenery, and a clean doormat. A little attention to the outside will help draw buyers in.

You don’t need to overhaul your home before you sell, but small, budget-friendly upgrades can make a big difference in your home’s perceived value. Think about giving rooms a fresh coat of neutral paint, replacing outdated light fixtures, or updating hardware in the kitchen and bathrooms. These quick fixes can give your home a more modern feel without breaking the bank.

Another smart move? Stage your home to make it look its best. Rearrange furniture to open up spaces and add a few simple, stylish touches like fresh flowers or new throw pillows. Consult your Realtor, or, consider hiring a professional stager—they can work wonders with what you already have or will bring in furniture and decor to complete the look.

Great photos can make or break a listing. Once your home is in tip-top shape, a professional photographer should capture it at its best. Bright, high-quality images will help your home stand out online and attract more potential buyers. An expert listing agent will have relationships established with professional photographers and will ensure you get the right person to beautifully showcase your home.  It's best to leave this to the pros; DIY photography rarely measures up, and can be detrimental to a successful sale.

With everything ready to go, it’s time to prepare for showings. Make sure your home is always clean and tidy, and remove any personal items like family photos or personal collections. Buyers need to picture themselves in the space, so aim for a neutral, welcoming vibe.

Before each showing, turn on lights, open curtains, and make sure your home smells fresh. A little extra effort here can help buyers feel comfortable and make your home more inviting.

P.S. An excellent Realtor will guide you through this process step-by-step, including connecting you with trusted professionals like cleaners, contractors, stagers, and photographers—and we’ll handle the entire showing process too. Get in touch to make your home sale easy.

We've got you. With our guidance, you can take your home from meh to market-ready in a snap—with less stress and more success.

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