What I Wish Every Seller Knew Before Listing

First Impressions Sell Homes

If I could give every seller one golden rule, it would be this: Buyers decide how they feel about your home in the first 30 seconds. That’s why preparation matters so much.

Declutter, Depersonalize, and Deep Clean

Buyers want to picture themselves living in your home—not feel like they’re intruding in yours. That means:

• Removing personal photos

• Minimizing knick-knacks

• Keeping countertops clear

• Doing a serious deep clean (yes, even baseboards!)

Small Updates = Big Returns

You don’t have to do a full renovation to make your home shine. A fresh coat of paint, updated light fixtures, and new cabinet hardware can go a long way in photos and showings.

The Power of Staging

Professional staging highlights your home’s best features and can help buyers emotionally connect. I’ve had listings sit for weeks, then sell within days after staging and new photos.

A Local Success Story

A Germantown home I listed last spring had been on the market with another agent for 60+ days. We came in, staged it, improved the lighting, and retook the photos. It sold in 10 days for $15,000 more than the previous list price.

Bottom Line: A little effort upfront can mean thousands more in your pocket at closing.