One of the most common questions sellers ask is, “What should I fix before we list?” The honest answer is usually less than you think. Buyers notice the basics: how clean and bright a home feels, whether it looks cared for, and whether they can picture themselves living there. Here’s where I’d put your time and money.
1. Declutter first
This is the cheapest thing you can do and it makes the biggest difference. Clear the counters, thin out the closets and pack away anything you won’t need over the next couple of months. You’re moving anyway, so think of it as getting a head start.
2. Make it personal to the buyer, not to you
Family photos, kids’ artwork and collections are part of what makes a house your home. For showings, put most of them away. Buyers need to be able to imagine their own life in the space.
3. Deep clean everything
Windows, baseboards, grout, light fixtures, inside the oven. A professional clean before photos is money well spent. Clean homes photograph better and feel better in person.
4. Take care of the little repairs
Dripping taps, sticky doors, burnt-out bulbs, loose handles, a cracked outlet cover. On their own they’re small, but together they make buyers wonder what else hasn’t been looked after.
5. Freshen the paint
A coat of soft, neutral paint in the main rooms is one of the best returns you’ll get. It brightens the space and covers years of scuffs. If a room is a bold colour, this is the time to tone it down.
6. Let the light in
Open the blinds, swap dim bulbs for brighter warm ones and make sure every room has working lighting. Here on the Island, a lot of buyers are touring on grey days, so bright rooms really stand out.
7. Give the outside some love
The first impression happens at the curb. Mow, edge, weed and add a couple of planters by the door. Our wet winters mean moss on roofs and full gutters are common, so it’s worth having both cleaned before photos.
8. Pull your paperwork together
Having documents ready makes everything smoother once offers come in. Gather what you have of:
- Recent utility and property tax bills
- Receipts or permits for renovations, a new roof or a new furnace
- Strata documents if you’re in a condo or townhome, including minutes and the depreciation report
- Proof of oil tank removal, if your home ever had one. Buyers and insurers in Victoria often ask about this.
9. Plan for showings
Think about where you’ll go during showings, especially if you have pets or young kids. A simple daily routine to reset the house (beds made, dishes away, lights on) makes it much easier to say yes when a buyer wants to come by.
10. Price it right from day one
This is the one that matters most. Homes that are priced in line with recent sales get the most attention in the first couple of weeks, and that’s when you’re most likely to get your best offer. I’ll walk you through the recent sales near you so you can decide with real numbers in front of you.
You don’t have to tackle all ten at once. When we meet, I’ll walk through your home with you and give you a short list of what’s actually worth doing, and what you can skip.
Thinking about selling?
I’ll come by, walk through your home with you and give you an honest list of what’s worth doing before you list.