10 Critical Steps to Take Before Selling Your Home

Selling a home is a completely different challenge than buying one. Just ask anyone who’s done both! While buying is about finding the right home, selling is about making your home as appealing as possible to buyers, and that takes effort.

If you’ve never sold a home before, you might be surprised by how much goes into the process. From setting the right price to handling negotiations and contracts, it can quickly become overwhelming. But knowing the key steps to take before listing can help you avoid stress, attract better offers, and sell faster.

With 14 years of experience as a Realtor, I've mastered the art of preparing a home for sale by prioritizing what truly matters. Follow this list, and you'll be ready to sell your home right away.

I've already made a giant room-by-room checklist for you to use as a guide to help with each area of your home. Be sure to download the PDF checklist from that page as a free resource.

Before putting your home on the market, there are key steps every seller should consider to attract buyers and maximize their sale price. While every home is unique and requires different levels of preparation, some tasks are universally recommended by real estate professionals. This list highlights 10 essential areas to focus on before listing your home.

Remove Personal Decorations

It's time to create a blank slate for buyers.

When selling your home, you’ll have all kinds of buyers walking through your space, each with different backgrounds, tastes, and lifestyles. Your goal? Create a neutral, inviting environment that allows them to envision themselves living there.

The best way to do this is by removing anything that reflects your personal preferences and daily life. If buyers can easily guess your religious beliefs, family size, profession, or favorite drink just by looking around, it could make it harder for them to form their own emotional connection with the home.

Buyers often struggle to picture themselves in a space when a seller’s lifestyle is too prominent—especially if it clashes with their own. That’s why real estate agents often recommend depersonalizing your home as much as possible.

Think of it as an emotional reset. By stripping away personal touches, you’re making your home more marketable and mentally preparing to move on. When buyers walk through and wonder if anyone lives there, you know you’ve done it right.

Hire A Home Inspector

Once you have an executed sales contract, the buyer's first move will likely be hiring a home inspector. Why not beat them to it? A professional inspection typically costs between $300 and $500, which is a small price to pay compared to the headaches it can prevent.

Addressing repairs before listing your home eliminates surprises. Instead of scrambling to fix last-minute issues after a buyer’s inspection, you take control of the process upfront. This proactive approach can prevent buyers from handing you a long list of problems that might delay or even derail the sale.

Home inspections are the #1 deal killer in real estate. A bad report can send buyers running or give them leverage to negotiate thousands off your asking price. On the flip side, a clean inspection reassures buyers, boosts confidence in your home, and often results in stronger offers.

I recently worked with a seller who had rented out his home for years and assumed it was in great shape. When my buyer’s home inspection uncovered major issues, the seller was blindsided. He was pressured to cover part of my buyer’s closing costs just to keep the deal from falling apart. Had he conducted his own inspection beforehand, he could have made the repairs on his terms and avoided unnecessary stress.

The bottom line? A pre-listing inspection is an investment, not an expense. It positions you for a smoother sale, maximizes your negotiating power, and keeps you from being caught off guard. Wouldn’t you rather know about potential problems now—before they cost you a deal?

Clean Everything Thoroughly

Cleanliness is subjective. What feels spotless to you might seem unkempt to someone else. But when selling your home, "clean" isn’t just about your standards; it’s about making buyers feel comfortable, impressed, and emotionally connected to the space.

Imagine your potential buyer is a germaphobe. Every smudge on the fridge, speck of dust on the baseboards, or faint odor in the carpet could be a dealbreaker. The cleaner your home, the more inviting it feels, and the easier buyers can picture themselves living there.

Investing in a professional deep cleaning service is worth every penny if you can afford it. Even buyers who aren’t particularly tidy themselves still expect a spotless home. Ironically, many buyers want the home they purchase to be cleaner than the one they currently live in.

A meticulously clean home signals care and upkeep, reassuring buyers that your property is well-maintained and worth their investment. Before listing, go beyond the basics and clean everything thoroughly. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home.

Remove Evidence of Pets & Kids

When selling your home, your goal is to attract as many buyers as possible, making it appealing to everyone, not just fellow pet lovers or parents. Even if your home has the perfect layout, price, and design, lingering pet odors or scattered toys could turn buyers away before they’ve even given it a chance.

Some buyers won’t even finish a walkthrough if they spot pet evidence, and many will rule out a home just from seeing a litter box in listing photos. You may not notice the smells in your home because you’ve grown accustomed to them, but potential buyers will. That’s why getting a second opinion from your real estate agent is crucial. They can provide an unbiased perspective.

Not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for pets. Some buyers have allergies or sensitivities or simply prefer a pet-free environment. The same goes for homes with obvious signs of children. Cluttered play areas and kid-related wear and tear can make a home feel less move-in ready.

The reality? Pet odors and excessive signs of children’s presence are among the top reasons homes linger on the market. A little preparation can go a long way in appealing to the widest pool of buyers, ultimately helping you sell faster and for more money.

Replace Outdated Fixtures

Small details can make a big difference when selling your home, and outdated fixtures are one of the easiest things to update for a fresh, modern look. If you still have brass door handles, chandeliers, or old light switch covers, it’s time for an upgrade. These small elements might seem insignificant, but to buyers, they signal an outdated home that may require extra work before move-in.

Luckily, this is an easy fix that won’t break the bank. A contractor pack of brushed nickel door handles is inexpensive online. If you're aiming for high-end buyers, investing in designer handles can make an even bigger impact. While you're at it, swap out any discolored or outdated light switch covers for a quick refresh.

Take a walk through your home and look for any fixtures that reveal its age. The more you update, the better your home will present to buyers. Don’t forget to highlight these small but meaningful upgrades in your listing description to show buyers you’ve put in the effort!

Shampoo or Replace Carpets

”Should I replace the carpet before selling my house?” This is one of the most common questions sellers ask real estate agents, and for good reason.

Carpets take a beating over the years, showing wear and tear more visibly than almost any other part of a home. If your carpet looks old, stained, or has lingering odors, it could turn buyers away before they even consider making an offer.

So, what’s the best move? If your carpet is in good shape with no major stains or odors, a professional deep cleaning might do the trick. But if cleaning doesn’t restore its look and feel, replacement may be necessary, especially if you’re aiming for top dollar.

Most Realtors agree that homes with worn-out carpets are more challenging to sell. While distressed properties or fixer-uppers may get a pass, buyers in the market for a move-in-ready home will see outdated flooring as a red flag. That’s why addressing this issue before listing can give you a competitive edge.

Carpets also trap dirt and odors, which can be a deal-breaker during showings. If your carpets can’t be saved, start by measuring the square footage of your home and getting estimates for new carpet installation. Even a mid-range replacement can dramatically improve your home’s appeal and perceived value.

Consider replacing high-traffic areas with hardwood or luxury vinyl flooring. This upgrade can increase your home’s value and attract more buyers looking for a modern, low-maintenance option. Consult with your real estate agent to determine the best flooring strategy for your home and market.

Touch Up or Re-Paint

If it's been over a year since your last interior paint job, your walls are probably showing some wear with scuff marks, nail holes, and fingerprints that tend to accumulate over time. A quick touch-up can instantly refresh your space and make it feel well-maintained.

If you have leftover paint from your last project, now’s the perfect time to put it to use. Simply patch up the high-traffic areas, and your walls will look like new again. No extra paint? No problem. Carefully peel a small sample from an inconspicuous spot—like inside a closet or behind a door—and take it to a local paint store for color matching. Be prepared to test a couple of samples to get the closest match.

While touching up works in most cases, bold colors like deep reds, purples, or lime green can be a deal-breaker for potential buyers. Remember, selling your home is about broad appeal.

If your walls feature intense colors, consider repainting with neutral tones. A home with three or fewer neutral colors throughout is much more inviting to buyers and minimizes objections.

Why does this matter? Buyers often struggle to visualize their furniture and decor fitting in a space with bold color choices. While you may love bright orange, someone else might see it as a weekend-long painting project.

Neutral walls, on the other hand, create a blank canvas that helps buyers picture themselves living in the home—leading to faster offers and higher perceived value.

And don’t forget about the exterior Faded trim, chipped fences, and weathered siding can make a home look neglected. A fresh coat of paint on your mailbox post, shutters, or front door can boost curb appeal and signal to buyers that your home is well cared for.

Rent a Storage Unit

If you’re like most homeowners, your closets are packed, and your garage is filled to the brim. That’s completely normal—but here’s the problem: many of the homes you’re competing with are nearly empty or fully staged, making them look more spacious and move-in ready. Buyers can instantly picture themselves living there, and that gives those homes an edge.

Want to stay competitive? Rent a storage unit and start decluttering now. Pack away anything you won’t need while your home is on the market. Store the least essential items in the back and prioritize accessibility for anything you might need.

Still wondering, “Should I store this?” The answer is always yes! Think of it as packing for your upcoming move because your home will sell faster if you do this right. Buyers love homes that feel open, organized, and ready for them to move in. Less clutter means more offers, so start packing.

Freshen Up Landscaping and Curb Appeal

When it comes to selling your home, landscaping offers the highest return on investment. First impressions in real estate are everything, and your home's exterior is the first thing potential buyers see.

A well-maintained yard signals that the home is cared for, setting the stage for a great showing.

One of the quickest and most affordable ways to refresh your landscaping is spreading a fresh layer of mulch. It instantly makes garden beds look polished and well-kept with minimal effort.

Want to take it a step further? Add pops of color with vibrant flowers, trim overgrown bushes, and tidy up outdoor spaces to make your home look fresh and inviting.

These simple updates can significantly impact a buyer’s first impression—helping your home sell faster and potentially for a higher price.

Hire an Experienced Realtor

Every home has its own unique strengths and potential red flags. When experienced buyer’s agents walk through properties, they’ve already seen dozens of homes that week. They know exactly what buyers are looking for and, more importantly, what turns them off. That’s why, during a listing appointment, a seasoned real estate agent isn’t just assessing your home; they’re anticipating the objections buyers will have before they even step through the door.

Buyers share their concerns with agents every day, and those insights are invaluable when preparing your home for sale. While every market is different, an experienced Realtor can pinpoint your area's most common buyer objections and help you address them before they become deal breakers. Some sellers choose to ignore this advice, but those who listen gain a major advantage in attracting strong offers.

Some homeowners attempt to sell their properties For Sale By Owner (FSBO) to avoid paying real estate commissions. While this might seem like a cost-saving move, these homes often struggle to get exposure. Without being listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—where most serious buyers and agents search—FSBO properties typically see fewer showings, less competition, and a tougher road to a successful sale.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the list above overwhelm you. Instead, break it down into manageable steps. Prioritize the improvements that will have the biggest impact on your home’s appeal, and tackle them one at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to list with confidence.

The truth is that many sellers cut corners and skip key steps to save time or money. But by putting in the effort now, you’ll make your home stand out, attract more buyers, and likely secure a more substantial offer before your competition even has a chance.

When it comes to selling your home, the saying “you get out what you put in” couldn’t be more accurate. Invest wisely in your home’s presentation, and you’ll reap the rewards at closing.