If you're like me, you have a long list of what you want to do to prepare your home for the real estate market. So, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and forget some steps that can be crucial. Here's a checklist of what is often missed when a homeowner preps her home for sale 

1. Not deep cleaning

We're inundated with advice about how important it is to declutter a home that's going to be listed for sale. Because it doesn't make sense to clean what's clutter, it's best to declutter before you do a deep clean. Kitchens and bathrooms are the most important areas to look spotless. I love the look of the clean but not sterile kitchen above, from Chinoiserie Chic.  

If you can't do deep cleaning yourself, it will pay to have a person or team tackle the job professionally. Get recommendations from neighbors or your listing agent. The pros have the equipment and know-how to be thorough and efficient. 

A deep clean can include carpet
cleaning and window washing,
or just a thorough dusting,
wiping, and vacuuming of
areas you don't always
get clean. Photo: BHG

2. Exterior gets ignored

The profile photo of your home is what will lure buyers into reading the details about your property. Make sure your home looks irresistible from the front! Your landscape needs to look interesting, but also tidy and tended. Your roof and siding need to look clean and in good repair. The walkway and steps need to be obvious and safe.  

Now that drone photography is more common, the grounds around your home will get more attention before buyers come to visit. Any backyard and sideyard clutter can be eliminated or organized so as to not distract. Buyers want liveable spaces outside, so no matter what the season, make your yard inviting with some seating and other staging.      

A front-facing garage can take up
more than half of your online
profile photo. Do its doors look this good?
Photo: Garage Door Masters

3. Too much furniture

When I look at photos online of homes for sale, I see lots of rooms that look crowded. I see multiple storage shelving units lining bedroom walls, extra side tables, ottomans, and electronics scattered around living rooms, and porches crowded with lounge furniture and dining sets. Instead, consider the function of each room and stage to that function, using your best pieces.      

Do any of your rooms have furniture pushed against all the walls, with dead space in the center? My furniture arranging eBook shows you how to create sensible traffic paths through a house and still have rooms that look interesting, inviting, and comfortable. 

When you cluster furnishings away
from the walls, buyers can get a
better sense of the size of
the room. Photo: Michael Partenio

4. House smells bad

That deep clean will go a long way to assuring your home smells good. Your job now is to keep it free of animal scents, cooking aromas, and stale or mildewy air. 

An air purifier does a good job of keeping your air fresh, but the presence of one in your home might make buyers wonder why it's needed. Keep fresh air coming into your rooms with an efficient HVAC system or by opening windows. 

A ceiling fan, correctly installed, is a good
way to circulate your indoor air, and 
reduce the likelihood of mold. Photo: Rejuvenation
Because you may be accustomed to the scents in your home, you can always ask a friend to visit and do a "sniff test." Remember that artificial fragrances can be off-putting to those with allergies and could signal that you are masking smells like ones that might come from things like a clogged drain or sewer issue that a plumber can solve.  

5. Home is too personal

One of the cardinal rules of home staging is to make the house "relatable." Don't put emotional stumbling blocks between you and prospective buyers. Let them concentrate on your property. The less they know about you, your family, and your lifestyle, the better.  So, if you still have family photos, sports memorabilia, or political posters in your house, now's the time to pack them away. 

Another way your home may be too personal is in your choice of paint colors. Walls don't have to be hospital white, but they can't be apple green, navy blue, and magenta. Neutrals will help buyers envision their belongings belonging in your home.  

Shelves and bookcases need to be
staged with generic objects instead of 
things like certificates and family photos
or anything valuable to others.  
Photo: ArchitectureArtDesigns

6. Not hiring a home inspector

One of the smartest moves you can make when prepping your home for sale is hiring a home inspector. Yes, buyers will hire their own inspector, but you can get the jump start before you list your property and fix what might give you black marks. You would be surprised at all that an inspection of your electrical system will tell you, for example.

7. Ignoring the local market

You don't need to be an expert on your local real estate market, but it's certainly helpful to be aware of what your competition looks like. It's easy to do your research on Zillow or Realtor.com. Start your search by entering your zip code and then narrow it down to your price range. The photos and specs will help you understand what your prospective buyer might be considering.

Make your listing agent work for you. A good Realtor will show you comparable homes on the current market and homes like yours that have sold recently. Take the advice of your agent about price and showings. Here is my advice on how to choose a good Realtor, and also how to help your Realtor sell your home.

It's always a good idea to drive by homes
for sale that are similar to your home
in price, size, age, and location. 

Get the look, get the book

You can get all the encouragement you need to stage your own home in my eBooks on DIY homestaging. I give you all the tips and methods you need to be frugal but effective, stylish but welcoming to buyers. It's all about things like color choices, furniture arrangement, and when to follow trends. You can download them now and start staging today!