Selling your house without sprucing it up first is a bad idea. Buyers want their new homes to be as move-in-ready as possible. They don’t want to have to worry about paying for improvements after they’ve already spent their entire life savings on a down payment. So even little things like clutter or peeling paint can send a buyer running in the opposite direction. The good news is that with a little bit of time, patience and elbow grease, a seller can make small improvements in each room of the house that can help lead to a home sale.

Preparing a Home for Sale: Entryway

When preparing a house for sale, staging the entryway should be your first priority. It gives potential buyers a first impression of the home’s interior, and you need it to be pristine. If the entryway is open and clutter-free, your house will automatically seem larger. Clear away any spider webs and dirt from the doorway and make sure the entryway is well lit. Finally, spruce up the entry with a brand-new welcome mat.

Staging for a Home Sale: Living Room

This is where a buyer will spend most of her time if you succeed in selling your house. Staging this room correctly is very important, and your biggest task will be making the room as impersonal as possible. Remove any personal items and family photos from the room, and paint the walls in a neutral color. Remove excessive furniture and set up the remaining pieces in an arrangement that invites conversation.

Preparing a Home for Sale: Kitchen

Homeowners spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so it’ll take some extra work to stage this room properly. Pay special attention to the following aspects:

• Cleanliness: Everything, including the floor, sink, countertops, appliances and oven, need to be so clean that they look new.
• Clutter: Store coffee pots, toaster ovens, extra plates, utensils and other kitchen tools out of sight. Leave the counters clear.
• Potential upgrades: If time and money allow, take a critical look at your appliances, cabinets and fixtures, and make upgrades if necessary.

Home Staging for a House Sale: Bathrooms

Like the kitchen, the bathrooms need to be sparkling clean. Update any old-fashioned fixtures. Check the grout in the bathtub and replace the caulking. Place clean, brightly colored towels in the bathroom and add a vase of fresh flowers. Leave the toilet seat down.

Staging for a Home Sale: Bedrooms

Take a cue from the family room and remove extra furniture from each bedroom. Paint the walls in neutral colors. Remove all personal items from the rooms, and take most of the clothes out of the closets. A half-full closet looks bigger than one that’s stuffed with clothing and other items. Consider buying attractive comforter sets for each bed to make the bedrooms appear nicer.