{"id":7515,"date":"2025-07-07T04:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=7515"},"modified":"2025-07-07T21:56:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T04:56:43","slug":"prep-your-house-for-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/prep-your-house-for-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Steps to Prep Your House For Sale and Sell For More Money"},"content":{"rendered":"

When selling a home, there\u2019s a lot of work just to prep your house for sale. However, real estate agents say it\u2019s not uncommon for clients to forget something when prepping. We\u2019ve assembled this list of the top things you can take care of to help your home make a great impression, entice buyers, and attract great offers. Some of these items may seem like no-brainers, but we bet there are a few that you never thought of!<\/p>\n

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Top Agents Know What Sells Homes<\/h3>\n

If you’re thinking about selling your house, partnering with a top real estate agent early in the process can be a great move. They have the experience to know how to get you through the process, from prepping your house for sale to getting to closing day.<\/p>\n \n

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Prep your house for sale: Common tasks
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1. Declutter, depersonalize, and deep clean<\/h3>\n

Everyone knows that your home should be as close to a blank slate as possible when selling homes. You want potential buyers to look at the beautiful features of your home without focusing so much on your items or dirt and grime. You don\u2019t want them to see crowded closets and cabinets, cramped rooms full of furniture, and piles of junk mail on the counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve noticed that people forget to empty as much as they can out of the home,\u201d says Noe Favela<\/a>, one of Illinois\u2019 top-selling real estate agents<\/a> with over 18 years of experience. Instead, pack what you don\u2019t need for everyday life as you\u2019re decluttering and depersonalizing. The more you pack up during this stage, the less you need to pack when ready to move!<\/p>\n

Note: If you don\u2019t have time to deep clean your home (or hate cleaning), a professional cleaner is a great option. Professional cleaners usually charge between $118 to $237<\/a> on average, but you could pay $750+ if your house is larger than 3,000 square feet.\u00a0

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2. Pressure wash the exterior<\/h3>\n

You work hard to keep the interior of your home clean, but you can\u2019t forget to clean the exterior of your home as well! \u201cFrom the moment I pull up to a house, I\u2019m looking at the roof,\u201d says Cheryl Bare<\/a>, a top real estate agent in Waldorf, Maryland<\/a>, who has sold 66% more single-family homes than the average agent in her area. \u201cMany people have mold growing on it, and it makes the roof look old, but it might just need a good power washing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home improvement stores offer rental pressure washers at $50 to $250 per day<\/a>. You can rent the pressure washer for the weekend and use it to clean more than just the roof. You can use it on:<\/p>\n