What to Do to Sell Your House: A 14-Tip Home Selling Checklist

2. Declutter and depersonalize each room

Buyers find it difficult to imagine themselves living in your home if all they see as they look around are your personal photos and mementos. If your home is overcrowded with furniture and other items, they can’t see the space properly. Thus, it’s important to declutter and depersonalize your home.

“You want your rooms to feel big,” Pappalardo explains. “If you have an overcrowded arrangement of extra furniture that leaves literally only an inch of space between the buyer and their agent, it’s uncomfortable.”

It’s more than uncomfortable — you could be losing money if you don’t tidy up the space. HomeLight’s research reveals that reducing clutter can add over $7,979 to your home’s value at resale.

According to a National Association of Realtors (NAR) report, buyers ranked the living room (39%), primary bedroom (36%), and kitchen (30%) as the most important for a seller to stage, so consider those as equally important to declutter.

3. Conceal your valuables

Consider it part of the decluttering process to protect yourself and your valuables while your house is open to the public.

Follow simple precautions, such as securing your medicine in a lockbox and concealing your passwords, Wi-Fi code, checkbook, jewelry, keys, and other valuables that might prove too tempting to unscrupulous visitors.

4. Deep clean, then keep it clean

Once you have decluttered, you might realize you’re overdue for deep cleaning. It’s worth the effort. According to a HomeLight report, deep cleaning and putting away the clutter can easily get you an additional $20,000 and less time on the market.

When you’re ready to tackle cleaning, make a separate list. Kitchens and baths are good places to start tackling grime. Be sure to include appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven. Make mirrors and faucets sparkle. Scour the grout. Wash the walls. Mop the floors.

Every room can use some attention. Put fresh linens on the beds. Wash or dry-clean the window treatments. Shampoo the carpets. Dust everything.

If you don’t have time for deep cleaning, house cleaners charge an average of $25 to $80 per hour.

5. Deodorize, but say no to fragrance

Malodors make a lousy impression on buyers. Whether it’s cigarette smoke, cooking odors, pet smells, strong perfumes, or a musty mold aroma, an unpleasant smell could be so distracting that a buyer can’t get past it to notice your home’s wonderful features.

If odor lingers after you have deep-cleaned your home, it’s time to take more drastic measures. Deodorize your home with these simple steps:

• Keep on top of the laundry and dishes
• Use baking soda to refresh carpets
• Scrub walls with a diluted vinegar solution
• Repaint
• Shampoo the carpets
• Use an enzymatic product to remove odors from hardwood floors 
• Increase air circulation in the bathroom and kitchen
• Look for (and fix) leaks
• Change your home’s air filters

You may have to call a professional to eliminate dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Whatever you do, don’t try to mask odors with heavy perfumes. Get to the cause and eliminate it. Once you have eliminated odors and their causes, you may be tempted to add a fresh scent. Researchers have discovered that a citrus smell increases the perceived value of a home.

Buyers generally prefer simple, neutral, and natural scents to heavy aromas found in plug-ins, candles, or essential oils.

6. Make judicious repairs

Every homeowner continually chases routine maintenance and repairs. However, when you’re trying to sell your home, leaving too many of those items on your to-do list leaves a bad impression.

If you haven’t taken care of the little things, buyers may wonder what bigger problems you have neglected. That can turn away buyers or lead to low offers.

“If you’re not willing to do the $5 caulk job, or buy a $20 gallon of paint to fix flaking paint, then what other maintenance items aren’t you addressing?” Pappalardo asks. “So, repair the caulk around the tubs, fix flaking paint, make sure every window works properly. There [are] so many little things you can fix.”

Create a daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal checklist of maintenance and repairs you should keep on top of.

Repair the apparent things. Remember, in many states, the seller must legally disclose defects. By fixing some of the smaller things, you reduce the length of that list.

Choose your repairs wisely. Many renovations provide only little return on investment. Fixing everything will never make up for an unfixable flaw with the house — such as location, lack of parking, or a power line on your property — so it’s better to pick improvement projects wisely.

If there are major repairs you can’t afford to fix — or don’t want to manage — you can always sell your home “as-is” through a Realtor® or to a cash buyer.

“The more of those things you do up front, the less it will cost you. If you address them yourself or hire a handyman, it will be far less expensive than when the buyer demands that a contractor do the repairs,” Pappalardo says.

7. Follow a home inspection/appraisal checklist

Some repairs may be necessary to pass the home inspection or appraisal. A home inspection evaluates the house’s condition and identifies potential problems that may need to be repaired.

During the assessment, a home inspector performs a visual inspection and reports on any health, safety, or mechanical issues that don’t meet your state’s standards. Common issues noted include water damage, roof condition, electrical problems, and structural issues that could negatively impact the future health of the house.

Don’t take it personally, but an inspector will always find things wrong with a house. It’s up to the seller whether to fix them.

For the optimal outcome, make sure the inspector has access to all areas of the home, such as the attic, crawlspace, and garage, and all items, like the electrical panel.

Meanwhile, a home appraisal involves looking at many of the same things but for a different purpose. The appraiser’s job is to estimate your home’s current market value for the buyer’s lender. This kind of assessment is a requirement for mortgage loans, allowing lenders to be sure the home is worth its purchase price. In the case of FHA loans, appraisers are more meticulous, as they follow specific guidelines set by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

It’s important that your home is prepared for an appraisal because appraisal issues can cause a postponed settlement. NAR reports that 6% of contracts in August 2024 were delayed due to appraisal issues.

Although an appraisal is supposed to consider more permanent aspects like location, property size, square footage, zoning, and materials, if your home is dirty or needs multiple repairs, it can affect the appraiser’s opinion.

“If the house has flaky paint, missing railings, holes in the walls, or things of that nature, then it probably won’t get approved by an FHA appraiser,” Pappalardo explains. “For example, even if you disclosed that your home needs a new roof, they may demand a new roof be put on before approving that FHA loan.”

Following a home inspection or appraisal checklist may turn out to be one of the best actions you can take to avoid unexpected delays in your home sale journey.

8. Apply inexpensive upgrades

Some home projects might help you sell your home for more.

Buyers want flexibility, and extra space can provide that. For example, in a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey of what homebuyers want in 2024, at least 80% of buyers consider laundry rooms, patios, and ENERGY STAR-certified windows to be either “essential” or “desirable.”

The kitchen is one of the most essential spaces for buyers, so updating cabinets or countertops could bring a worthwhile ROI. In fact, 67% of top real estate agents considered updated kitchens as the top selling point of a house.

Bathroom renovations are often a hit with buyers, reaping about 72.7% ROI. Consider a green bathroom renovation with sustainability in mind. Or perhaps lean into the growing trend of “wetroom” bathrooms.

If you’re planning structural renovations, be sure to acquire all necessary permits. Selling a home with unpermitted work creates several challenges, such as affecting the buyer’s ability to finance the purchase.

Some upgrades can be done for little more than a repair but will add a fresh look. For example, install new shower and sink faucets in a modern brushed nickel finish to solve the leak problem and add dollars to your home’s value at the same time.

Repainting your home is always an inexpensive and simple way to change its look and improve its value. We’ll provide more paint ideas in tip 13.

9. Skip unnecessary home improvements

Not all upgrades are worth the investment. For example, reconstructing the foyer only returns less than 60% of your investment. It’s hard to predict what buyers want for these special areas in the house — your remodeling project may be appealing to some or turn off others — so it’s wiser to leave them as is.

Sometimes your renovation can go too far. You never want to own the most expensive house on the block or “over-improve” for your neighborhood.

The big upgrades may not be worth the investment. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, a major, high-end kitchen remodel recoups around 31.7% of the costs, while a minor, mid-range kitchen remodel recoups about 85.7% of the costs.

Remember that personal preferences vary, so choose improvements that appeal to the broadest base of buyers.

10. Check your home’s estimated value

When you’re ready to list your home for sale, it can be helpful to have an accurate home valuation to set your expectations — and the price — right. There are a few ways to get this valuation. Help can come from many directions, such as:

• A professional pre-appraisal. This could be particularly helpful if you have no idea what your home is worth or if you own a unique property that’s difficult to price. Remember that appraisal estimates can change along with market price fluctuations.
• A top real estate agent. An experienced agent familiar with your neighborhood will be able to give you a good idea of your home’s valuation based on a comparative market analysis (CMA). An agent can verify that opinion by checking recent comparable home sales, known in the real estate industry as “comps.”
• An online valuation tool. Online tools such as HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator can give you a ballpark idea of your home’s current worth. Input answers to seven simple questions about your home, and the Home Value Estimator applies its algorithms and CMA to estimate your home’s value. The process usually calculates a number within 90% to 95% of your home’s full market value.

Get a Free Home Value Estimate

Enter a few details about your home, and we’ll provide you with a preliminary estimate of value in less than two minutes. This won’t replace a comparative market analysis (CMA) or home appraisal, but it can be a helpful starting point.

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11. Consider home staging

According to the NAR, 58% of buyers’ agents say staging affects the buyers’ impression of a home “most of the time.” Furthermore, staging can increase its value by 1% to 5%.

Why? According to 81% of buyers’ agents, staging makes it easier for the buyer to visualize the property as a future home.

An added bonus of staging is that it can also decrease the time the home is on the market, according to 27% of agents.

After decluttering and depersonalizing your home, you want to create a welcoming vibe that encourages buyers to picture their families enjoying the space. Try things like:

• Design a simple tablescape in the dining room.
• Update kitchen hardware.
• Clear off the counters.
• Add a few throw pillows, a colorful rug, and good lighting in the living room.
• Include a couple of plants for a biophilic design.
• Choose gender-neutral colors and décor for the primary bedroom, but give it restful appeal.
• Turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa with simple touches, thick towels, and maybe a candle.
• Create alluring vignettes and focal points showing your home’s best features.
• Open the curtains; sunshine makes everyone feel good.

If budget is a concern, remember that less is more. Most importantly, if your home is spotless, decluttered, and depersonalized, it’s in good shape for showings.

12. Apply curb appeal landscaping hacks

Before you can get buyers inside to see your clean, staged home, you have to hook them with your dazzling curb appeal.

The importance of curb appeal cannot be understated. According to NAR, 92% of real estate agents advise improving curb appeal before sellers list their homes for sale. Try these tips on amplifying your home’s curb appeal.

Not only does beautiful curb appeal lure buyers, but it may also garner more money for your home. According to Transactly, buyers will pay 20% more for a house with great curb appeal versus a home with a neglected exterior.

Kaminsky agrees. “I think presentation is critically important to increasing the speed of the sale and the price that the home will actually get.”

He suggests viewing your home from across the street and trying to look at it through the eyes of a buyer seeing it for the first time. “Walk up slowly to the home and look around. Notice the front door, knobs, cobwebs, and other things that you might normally ignore. It’s important to slow down and take a look.”

Curb appeal also affects a home’s online presence.

“It’s absolutely critical,” Kaminsky continues. “The first impression that anyone’s going to have is online. Ninety percent or more of buyers will see the home for sale on their cell phones. That’s what they’re looking at every day, so how it presents itself online is really going to impact how buyers react.”

• For starters, your home’s exterior probably needs cleaning. Pressure wash the house, sidewalks, patio, deck — everything. For extreme dirt, you may want to use a plant-safe cleaning solution. For the windows, attach an exterior window cleaner to your garden hose.
• Once everything is spotless, illuminate it. Light the way with solar or low-voltage lights along the driveway and sidewalks. Place solar-powered spotlights in the flower beds, aimed at the sidewalk to guide guests to the entrance. Use spotlights to highlight your home’s architecture or add hard-wired uplighting to draw attention to a specimen tree.
• Get dirty by sprucing up the yard. Mow the grass. Spruce up the flower beds with some pretty flowers and add fresh mulch. Trim shrubs. Plant a tree.
• Remember the little things buyers will notice. How about a new doormat? Or maybe add a yard ornament. Include a few accessories that match your home’s style. Choose any number of DIY projects to enhance your entryway.

If your budget permits, a fresh coat of paint never hurts—even if it’s just on the front or garage door.

If your thumbs aren’t green, hire a landscaping service. NAR reports a 217% cost recovery on a standard lawn care service. Basic mowing, trimming, and edging costs $49 to $204, depending on where you live and the size of your yard.

13. Paint with prudence

90% of homebuying decisions are influenced by color, demonstrating its significant impact on people’s moods and reactions. Consider NAR’s trendiest colors of 2024 as you prepare your home to sell.

Painting the exterior of your home costs an average of $3,000 depending on where you live and the home’s condition, but can add increase the home’s value by 2% to 5%.

Giving your interior walls a fresh coat of paint can make your home look new and more appealing for showings. Choosing the right neutral color can create a cohesive look and even make the space feel larger.

Repainting interior walls can increase your home’s value by an average of 5%, yielding an ROI of 107%. For a home valued at $400,000, this means an increase of $20,000. And a freshly painted house will appeal to buyers looking for a turnkey property.

If your home’s paint is flaking or faded, or the color is dated, consider painting before you list it.

14. Consider a pre-listing home inspection

Home inspection issues delay contracts since they need to be addressed before proceeding with the sale. In addition, buyers may use inspection findings to negotiate a lower sale price or repair credits.

You don’t want that to happen to your sale. To avoid these issues, you can have a pre-listing home inspection.

A pre-listing home inspection costs between $296 and $424. HomeAdvisor indicates that some home inspectors charge a flat fee for homes up to 2,000 square feet, with an additional charge per square foot beyond that.

If you know you have unfinished maintenance issues or want to sell your home quickly, a pre-listing inspection may be worth the cost.

Q&A — Additional tips to sell your house

No list is complete. Other concerns and ideas may arise as you prepare your home for sale. Here are a few commonly asked questions:

• What are other things sellers often miss when preparing their homes for sale?
  The devil is in the details. Once you’ve gone through our checklist, look for little things that pack a big punch. Clean or replace your mailbox.  Remove old storm doors. Tidy up drawers, closets, and other “hidden” spaces you don’t think buyers will look in — because they will.
• Because first impressions matter, how can I make my entryway feel inviting?
  The front entry should be welcoming but uncluttered. Replace lightbulbs. Add a statement door. Get some funky new house numbers and put a tasteful planter box on your front porch. As we noted above, place a new doormat by your front door.
• Do you recommend home sellers take their own photos for the listing?
  According to NAR’s 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, all homebuyers use the Internet to find a home, so good photos are critical. That’s why you want to rely on professional listing photos. A pro will get the angle and the lighting just right. They’ll use a wide-angle lens and a tripod for best results. They understand the composition and will ensure that the vertical lines in an image are perfectly vertical. Professionals can also edit their images to correct any misleading or unfair imperfections.

Ready, set, sell

As Ben Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Getting your house ready for sale takes some work, but by following our checklist, you should be able to complete most of the work in three weeks or less.

Or, take some of our tips and create your own list tailored to your home. Don’t forget the basics:

Preparing your home for sale by following these suggestions will help you sell it faster and for more money.

As always, rely on advice from your real estate agent about which preparations, upgrades, and repairs will help sell your home quickly and for top dollar. If you haven’t found an agent yet, use the HomeLight Agent Match tool. It takes just two minutes to match with the best real estate agents in your area who can guide you through the process.

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