Removing family photos is a good start but now it’s time to start packing non-essentials. Having an organized, uncluttered home is very appealing to potential buyers. Packing books and décor can help declutter shelves. Clearing counters of small appliances, baking tools, or other kitchen items and storing them in the cabinets or packing them away can help make a kitchen look bigger and cleaner. Provide your seller with other areas of concern they should focus on before buyers begin scheduling a walk-through of the home.

When showing the home, having all the lights on in the home is ideal. The lighting can help make a home feel welcoming and show that the electricity is still on (and the home is not left empty and humid which could allow mold to grow). It is important to make sure every light fixture has a working light bulb in it—broken or dead bulbs can be one of those tiny, petty things that turn buyers away or leave a negative impact on the home viewing.

Repainting a home is a big part of getting it buyer ready. Advise your seller to pick neutral colors like light grays, whites, and beiges. Colors like these will make a home appear brighter, lively, and more inviting. They also enable potential buyers to imagine their own furniture, decor, and personality in the space—rather than trying to imagine those things around blue or green walls.

Help your seller find a good handyperson or contractor to take care of any simple repairs recommended on the pre-listing home inspection. Broken outlets, small dings in the wall, or a loose baseboard may seem like “character”, but you’ll have to explain to your seller how these little items can be a nuisance to buyers who won’t want an exhaustive “honey do list” so soon after moving in.

Staging a home is proven to help a home sell faster and for a higher price. Staging the home doesn't have to be expensive—use existing furniture, buy and resell items, or hire a professional home stager (who likely has their own staging furniture). When staging a home, don’t forget to stage the outside as well, like the front porch area. The outside of the home is the first thing potential buyers will see, and a well-staged outdoor area can make the home even more appealing. Add to the curbside appeal by making sure the grass is freshly cut and the yard landscape looks well put together.

The photos that you put online of the home are very important to the home’s internet appeal. Making sure the photos put online are high quality and well represent the home starts with hiring a professional photographer. Ask your photographer about the possibility of performing a 3D virtual walkthrough as well. These are great for those who would like to view the home but are unable to physically perform a walk-through.