Excitement. Anxiety. Attachment. Elation.

These are all normal emotions one feels when getting ready to list their home. Yet any feelings of buyer’s remorse won’t last long. Sellers are seeing an average 30% return on investment of their homes.

Although it may be a seller’s market, there’s much to get done to prepare your home for potential buyers.

Read on for the top 10 things you need to do when getting your house ready to sell.

1. Choose the Right Listing Agent

There’s a reason 89% of sellers used an agent to help market their home. They work to get you the best possible price for your home, relating to your neighborhood comp set.

Your agent should have a vast knowledge of the local housing market. They should also specialize in listing properties in your area.

It’s also important to work with your realtor to take professional images of your home. This helps attract buyers online, which is the first place they turn to when searching for a home.

When searching for a realtor, it’s a good idea to accept recommendations. Talk to neighbors or locals in the area. It also helps to research the realtor’s number of current listings.

2. Clean from Top to Bottom

Before going on the market, get your home sparkling clean. This means you’ll need to deep clean every single room, nook, and cranny. Scrub the floors, wash the rugs, and vacuum the carpets.

Pay special attention to bathrooms. Especially the toilets, tubs, and inside cabinets. Buyers will inspect all these areas during a walkthrough.

You’ll also want to make sure your windows are clean. There should be no smudges or streaks showing. Window treatments should also get vacuumed or washed and ironed.

3. Hire a Handyman

Potential buyers notice the little things, such as a leaky faucet or squeaky door. A running toilet or crack in the wall can deter an otherwise serious buyer.

Broken items may even hold up a sale. Depending on the type of loan, some lenders will not approve a home that needs many repairs.

If you don’t have the time or skill to fix small house projects, hire a professional. A quick fix makes all the difference when it comes to selling your home.

4. Get the Light Right

Maximize natural lighting. It’s how to get your house ready to sell.

Consider hanging curtains that are light and airy. Install them high up on the walls to make your ceiling look taller. They will also let sunshine stream into the room.

Some buyers are only able to view homes after work. Even if it’s dark outside, you want to make sure you welcome them into a bright ambiance.

Ensure your light bulbs produce a high enough wattage. You can also update lampshades so they look more modern. It’s a good idea to stock up on extra lightbulbs while your home is on the market.

5. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way. It’s one of the top tips for selling your home.

It’s important to first patch up any cracks or holes in the walls. Don’t ignore the crown molding and trim if it needs touching up as well.

It’s best to stick to a neutral color palette. Whites, tans, and greys please most people looking to buy. Lighter colors are more appealing as they make rooms seem brighter and bigger.

Both interior and exterior house painting is something to consider when getting your house ready to sell. Clean and well-maintained walls are things people look for when buying a house.

6. Get Organized

Clutter can damper the character and style of your home, warding off potential buyers.

Learning some new organization techniques will make selling a house much easier. Decluttering the home will also make rooms appear more spacious.

Pay special attention to countertops, closets, and cabinets. These areas, along with pantries, get known for collecting clutter.

A hanging pot rack can help homes with limited kitchen storage space. Or Install extra shelving if needed. Consider putting excess belongings in temporary storage.

7. Make Small Changes for a Big Impact

It wouldn’t be ideal to make huge home renovation projects right before listing your property. Yet, there is much that can get done on a smaller scale that boosts your home’s value.

An outdated kitchen can get reinvented with a fresh coat of paint on its cabinets. Changing the cabinet hardware also creates a new look.

Cleaning your grout and polishing wood floors are other house selling tips. It doesn’t hurt to steam clean carpets as well. You can also consider updating outdated lighting pendants for newer fixtures.

8. Liven up Your Landscaping

Your home’s street view provides the first impression of your property. Curb appeal is a must for selling a house. You never know when potential buyers are going to do a drive by.

Updating your landscaping is a quick fix with significant added value. Remove all weeds and plant a few flowering plants and shrubs. Always keep the lawn mowed and hedges trimmed.

You should also liven up your outdoor living areas. Keep wooden decks and pavers clean. For an inviting atmosphere, add patio lighting and comfy throw cushions.

9. Neutralize Your Space

The idea is to appeal to any type of homeowner through a neutral environment. You want to ensure you are not excluding or offending any orientations. This also helps to make the home seem less personalized.

It’s best to remove any controversial decor or artwork. This includes political signs in your yard. Even too much sports memorabilia on display can offend a buyer.

You’ll also want to limit the amount of framed photos in your home. Check your fridge to remove invitations, announcements, and other personal items. Family calendars and open mail should also get placed out of view.

10. Stage Your Home with Buyers in Mind

77% of agents report that a staged home helps a buyer imagine themselves living there.

You want to stage the interior of your home to create a welcoming atmosphere. Less is always more, so only add a few touches here and there. Home staging tips show that the spaces should look lived-in yet natural.

Think of the buyer’s sense of taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight. Appeal to them with a well-organized layout, fresh smells, and cleanliness.

Use candles, scented diffusers, or air neutralizers. Plants and fresh florals also add a nice colorful touch. You can even play soft music from your patio when showing a home.

Some people have rooms in their homes that only get used as extra storage space. Be sure to clean these rooms and stage them a bit. It will help buyers see the potential of using it as an office, bedroom, or nursery.

Other Ideas for Getting House Ready to Sell

A clean, updated, and well-staged home will only sell if you get people to walk through the door.

When getting your house ready to sell, you’ll also need to think of how to market it through digital platforms. Your realtor will have a few tricks up their sleeve, including scheduling an open house.

Some realtors even recommend the buyer spend the night in the home. This way they can get a feel for how happy and comfortable the home will feel. Here are more unique marketing ideas to help sell your home fast.