Here are 5 inexpensive, fail-proof tips for getting your house photo-shoot-ready before putting it on the market.

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Are you unsure about what to do to start getting your house ready for listing photos and potential buyers walking through your home? I was when we decided to put our first home up for sale in July of 2020.

I’m not going to pretend like there aren’t a million things that need to be done if you are planning to sell your house and expect to get top dollar for it. Actually, I lied. There are a million and one things to you need to do to get it ready.

But, you can rest easy because I’ve done it before and I’m here to tell you it is possible to make some sweeping changes throughout your home that will drive online attention, get your home the looks it needs to set appointments and get buyers in your door.

In the end, that’s what it’s all about. Getting the online interest to drive traffic to your home in hopes of receiving an offer.

We have sold 2 homes in less than a year and I’ve learned so much about what needs to be done to get the house ready for listing photos and buyers touring your home.

Our first home we sold, used a realtor to help us and it was a complete whirlwind but I learned a ton. For the sale of our second home, we set up a private showing to a couple who was using a realtor. We sold the home off-market to them and saved a good amount of money on realtor fees by handling the transaction ourselves.

Our first home sold for full asking price and was under contract in 2 days. Our second home sold for full asking price and was under contract the same night the buyers privately toured our home.

I want to share with you my top 5 list of quick and inexpensive things you can start doing today to help prepare your home for hitting the MLS!

No. 1–Declutter.

Declutter. Yes, it’s a word that a lot of people may not take so fondly to because it can sound a bit insulting when you tell someone their belongings are “clutter.” We all need to take a step back and admit beyond our favorite pieces of furniture, artwork, family heirlooms, etc., there really is a lot of “stuff” we have and don’t really need. That’s the clutter I’m talking about. Often, we don’t realize how much we have accumulated over the years until it’s time for us to face the music and take a hard look at all of the useless things stored away that are just sitting there taking up space.

After the initial decluttering of things no longer needed, you’ll want to do that again with everyday things that are needed but maybe not a daily basis.

Here is a great example of my office in “real life” vs. “show-ready”. You can see what a difference it makes by removing 3/4 of the files and boxes in my cabinets. I removed the bookcase to simply the space even further which helps make it feel larger. You want buyers feeling like rooms are large and spacious, not confined and weighed down by a bunch of dustables.

Going through this process of decluttering, room by room, will help you cut out all of that excess junk you’ve held on to and help you with your moving bill. The more stuff you have, the more you pay to haul it.

The takeaway:

The “less is more” approach always wins when it comes to preparing your house to go on the market.

No. 2 — Clean.

After you finish decluttering, you’ll want to clean like your checkbook depends on it! When I start cleaning our homes before going on the market, I start with this idea in mind, “The cleaner the house, the bigger the sales price!”

It’s a really simple concept yet so many people overlook the little things that potential homebuyers are looking for when they decide to buy a house. A well kept home presents itself in a way that makes a buyer worry less about all the work they’re going to have to do when they move in. This allows them more time to focus on envisioning themselves moving into your house while they are standing in your house.

You want them looking around seeing the home of their dreams, not looking around making a mental checklist of all the work that needs to be done before they even move in.

If you don’t plan on painting the interior of your home prior to putting it on the market (I highly recommend you do this BTW!) I suggest you get a Magic Eraser and hit every scuff, mark and knick on your walls and baseboard trim. Please look at the handle area on all of your doors. Is there a brown ring of grime from years of use and not cleaning? CLEAN IT. If it doesn’t look dirty, clean it anyway.

When it comes to windows, I recommend clean the interior AND exterior glass. Remove all screens to allow for more natural light to enter the home. Store the screens somewhere safe, yet out of the way, as your buyers will eventually want to use them on their windows.

Power wash all walkways, siding and outdoor living areas. You want that curb appeal by cleaning your house so you can get top dollar!

The takeaway:

If you can wipe it or wash it, do it.

No. 3 — Paint.

A home that has a fresh coat of paint with a neutral color palette will appeal to a much broader audience of buyers than a home with dingy walls or bold colors. And buyers are willing to pay for it. They want a home that gives them a fresh start, both figuratively and literally.

Details matter when it comes to painting your house. For big impact, ensure the ceilings and trim are painted in a bright white. That will immediately give your home a nice crisp look. Nothing screams, “I half tried!” when you see walls that have been painted with baseboard trim that is a lighter coat of brownish-yellow.

Additionally, over time your house will likely experience nail-pops in the ceiling and drywall. Nail pops are an inevitable nuisance but they stick out like a sore thumb. If you want top-dollar for your home, don’t give any reasons for it not to be. Get those nail pops fixed.

Buyers appreciate attention to detail and homes with interior walls that are painted in color palettes that appeal to the masses. You can’t go wrong with neutrals, grays and whites.

The takeaway:

Paint ALL the things—walls, ceiling AND trim. Buyers will appreciate (and likely pay for) the extra effort you put in to getting the house ready for sale.

No. 4 — Update Light Fixtures.

Dated light fixtures are one of the first ways a seller can unintentionally make their home seem older and less attractive than other homes on the market. And most people over look that good lighting in a home is one of the most important things to have.

Fortunately, there are a number of great light fixtures for sale that are fairly inexpensive. And most don’t require a professional for installation.

But, if you are unsure or feel uncomfortable installing new fixtures on your own (total reasonable because let’s be honest, who really wants to be electrocuted?) have a professional come out and do it for you.

We paid to have the chandelier installed, among other fixtures in the house. This chandelier ran me $300. Definitely worth the ROI.

The takeaway:

Good lighting will make or break a space. If you are hiring a professional, have ALL your fixtures ready to go before installation day so there is only one service call to pay for.

No. 5 — Presentation Matters.

If you followed my first 4 steps, the 5th step is where it all comes together. Making sure your home is presented in a way that will attract buyers is critical.

When a potential buyer walks in to a home, their first impression is formed within the first 7 seconds. But, when a buyer is searching for a home online, you have 1.5 seconds to make a good first impression. And let’s be real, who isn’t looking at a house online before they go see it in person? No one.

Zillow, found in a July 2020 survey that 36 percent of Americans would be more likely to buy a home entirely online. Why? The pandemic caused a surge in remote home purchasing due to health concerns but also, homebuyers are more technology savvy. The Millennials—generally defined as those born between 1981 and 1996 — represent the largest contingent of home buyers in the United States and this generation has grown up on technology. They are all starting their home search online before ever setting foot in a home.

So when a potential buyer comes across the listing for your home online, will they see a clean, well-maintained and styled home? Or do they see clutter, disorganization, dirt and extra work that needs to be done? The goal is to make buyers feel as though they’ve just discovered the home of their dreams.

To achieve this, it’s imperative that the house has been decluttered and is free from any personal effects. Each room should have a defined purposed for the space, as this helps buyers envision themselves living here. Paint the interior to ensure the home shows well and update the light fixtures to help your home step into the 21st century. Finally, the staging of your home will begin to come together once you have been able to complete the first 4 steps in my list.

The Takeaway:

The smallest of details matter. It’s what separates an average home from exceptional home.