Tasks All Homeowners Should Do Before Putting Their Home on the Market

So you've decided to part ways with your current home. Moving can be a bittersweet, and extremely stressful, experience. This is why it's important to prep as much as possible, especially before you even put your home on the market. If you want to be successful with selling your home quickly and at the right price point, there are a few important tasks you should do before putting it up for sale.

Depersonalize and Pack Your Belongings

When potential buyers are walking through your home, they don't want to see a mess of all of your belongings. You're going to want to remove any distractions and depersonalize the space -- this will help potential buyers be able to picture themselves living in the house. As sad as it may be, you're going to want to take down family photos and the kids' artwork. This is a good time to allow yourself to accept the fact that you're leaving your home and that it will soon become home to somebody else. Along with depersonalizing, you're going to want to declutter. With the average home in the U.S. containing 300,000 items, you're going to have your hands full with trying to organize everything. It's important to remember that potential buyers like to snoop, so don't just go shoving things in closets. This is a great opportunity to get rid of some of your belongings, which will make it easier when it comes time to pack and move. Overall, try to make your house as tidy and depersonalized as possible before you begin showing the house.

Do Some Quick Fixes

While it's not a good idea to start a huge home improvement project right before you begin trying to sell your home, it is a good idea to do some basic upgrades and repairs. Fresh coats of paint, replacing hardware, and fixing sticking doors or windows can go a long way when you're trying to sell your home. Additionally, think about fixing any problems you've been putting off for a while. Not only can you save almost 10,000 gallons of water each year if you fix simple leaks, but leaky faucets or pipes can make potential buyers think you didn't care properly for the home. So if there are any simple repairs or upgrades you can do around the house without spending a lot of money, now is the time to do them. 

Clean, Clean, Clean

If potential buyers walk into a dirty home, chances are, they're going to turn around and walk right back out. Cleaning your home before showing it is an absolute must. And this isn't just a quick wipe down of the counters -- you need to clean like you've never cleaned before. All of the windows in the house should be washed, hardware should be polished, and the floors should be spotless. And don't forget about the outside of the home, as this is going to give potential buyers their first impression of the house. The exterior of the house should be power washed and sidewalks and porches should be swept clean of debris. Overall, your house should be spotless. And don't forget about the areas of your home that never get cleaned, like the air ducts. Generally, homeowners should have their air duct system cleaned every three to five years to not only keep the air in their home clean, but to also maximize the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. When potential buyers ask when the last time something was cleaned or replaced, you want to be able to tell them very recently.

Make Your Home Trendy

Does a room in your house still have shag carpet? If so, now is the time to get rid of it. While it's important to not solely rely on trends to decorate your home, it is important to ensure your home is somewhat modern. This is especially true with more and more young people buying homes. In fact, in 2017, 34% of homebuyers were made up of millennials and Gen Yers -- and this number is expected to continue to rise. Fortunately, making your home look updated isn't as difficult as it sounds. Even something as simple as repainting with more on-trend colors can make a huge difference in the appearance and attractiveness of your home. Modern light fixtures, light switches, and ceiling fans should be considered as well. Overall, your home doesn't need a complete makeover. But choosing a few key features to update can make a big difference.


Prepping your home for sale can take a lot of time and commitment. But when you sell your home quickly, it will all be worth it. So before you put your home on the market, follow these few simple tips and make sure your home is really ready to be seen by potential buyers to ensure you sell your home for a great price.