By Mel Marzahl, February 12, 2025
Thinking of putting your house on the market this spring? Getting a head start is key! Here are the top four things you should be doing now to prepare to list your home and make the most of your investment.
1. Declutter and Depersonalize:
This is more than just a quick tidy-up or donation drop-off. Go through your belongings and seriously consider donating, selling, or tossing anything you don’t plan on taking with you to your new home. Walls, closets, drawers, shelves, declutter everywhere. Pack away collections, personal photos, knick-knacks, books, and out-of-season clothes. Remember to declutter outside your home too!
If you have a lot of stuff, a self-storage unit or moving pod might be the way to store your things. Otherwise, neatly stacked bins and boxes in the garage, closet, basement, or shed are acceptable.
Ideally, moving out and having your home professionally staged will command the highest price. If that’s not feasible, minimizing visual clutter and the sheer amount of stuff in your home is the next best thing.
2. Deep Clean:
Whether you hire professional cleaners or roll up your sleeves and do it yourself, a deep clean is essential. A sparkling clean home sends a message to buyers that the home has been well-maintained, even if it lacks trendy updates or professional staging. A clean home sells faster and for more money – and it only takes elbow grease and time.
3. Tackle Repairs:
Now’s the time to finish those halfway-done home projects! Fill holes in the walls, touch up chipped paint, clean the gutters, service the furnace and AC, fix that wobbly doorknob, replace burnt-out light bulbs, repair the fence, pull weeds, and generally tidy up the yard. You can hand over a punch list to a handyman or tackle these tasks yourself.
But Wait! Before doing any big, expensive projects like painting the entire house, refinishing floors, or replacing the roof, deck, garage doors, or windows, talk to your real estate agent. They can save you money! Sometimes these projects aren’t necessary, don’t need to be done before listing, or can be accomplished more affordably.
4. Talk to Your Real Estate Agent:
Your agent is your best resource. A full-service agent, like yours truly, will help you plan and prepare your home for sale. Many sellers think they need to do more or spend more than they actually do. Meeting with your agent early allows them to create a customized “to-do” list specific to your home. They can also advise you on whether staying in the home while it’s listed, or selling, buying, or moving out first is the right strategy for you.
Real-World Savings Example:
I recently helped clients save over $20,000 preparing their home for sale. They initially thought they needed a new roof, but after getting bids, I advised them to wait and see if it came up during the inspections – they did and the buyer only requested a small repair, not a full 10K replacement! They also had bids of $10,000-$15,000 for repairs and exterior painting. My recommended contractor did the work for just $4,000 and even allowed them to pay through escrow at closing. I also arranged a cleaner and stager and coordinated the repairs while they were out of town to make it less stressful for them. They initially thought they had to sell before buying and stay in the home while it was listed. I connected them with a special cash loan program that allowed them to buy first, move, and then sell. I sold their vacant and staged home in just six days for $10,000 more than they would have otherwise received.
If you’re thinking about moving this spring, start working on this list now! Call me today to begin planning your move!
Mel Marzahl, Oregon Broker
503-443-5382
mel@livingroomre.com
Mel Marzahl
Broker | OR
She/Her
Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Mel became a passionate advocate for homeownership and investing in real estate after buying and selling her first home...
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- T: 503-443-5382
- mel@livingroomre.com
