Easy ways to prepare your home for the market

If you're thinking of selling your home in the new year, it's never too early to start the preparations!

Here are four, easy ways to begin the process:

First off...decluttering!

If you're thinking of listing your home, decluttering is often the first step. The photo below illustrates this idea perfectly. For flat surfaces such as tabletops or shelves, one or two carefully chosen items makes just the right impression.

For closets, remove all items from the floor and rearrange items so closets are single use. For example, group all cleaning items in one closet, board games in another, exc.

The process of decluttering larger spaces such as bookshelves or built-ins, involves a little more time and preparation. Here is a blog that offers some guidance on these spaces.

The process of decluttering before selling your home also involves removing all personal items such as family photos. This will allow prospective buyers a blank slate from which to judge your home. You don't want to include any item that makes the wrong impression. (think Hotel decor...) Next up...Updating Light Fixtures

Going through your home and selectively choosing light fixtures to update can make a huge difference when selling your home. I've posted some examples below of modern light fixtures that go a long way in adding a fresh look. The examples below include fixtures for a kitchen, dining room, living room and a bathroom.

Unlike decluttering (see above) updating light fixtures can be a ton of fun! If you've ever spent an afternoon browsing at Shades of Light, you may know exactly what I mean.

Even if you're not yet ready to sell your home, selecting your own light fixtures is a fun way to add your own personal touch to any space. Third...apply a fresh coat of paint to your front door.

A new coat of paint gives your house a fresh look for prospective homebuyers (remember, the front door is often their first impression) and adds a lot to your overall curb appeal. I would say it's the fastest way to renew the exterior look of your house.

While black is reported as the most popular color for front doors in 2022, there are plenty of other popular colors to choose from. For color recommendations, check out this website.

Last tip....update the hardware in your home.

Updating your hardware is yet another way to freshen up your interiors without breaking the bank. This is easy to do yourself with just a Phillips and flat head screwdriver.

Simple metallics are best. Avoid any shiny gold unless this matches the character of your house. It's ok to mix metals when it makes sense.

For hardworking spaces like kitchens, think of practicality over style and be sure to avoid any handles or knobs with sharp edges.

Replacing hardware can create an instantly refreshed look in almost any space!

(*In this post, "Hardware" refers to handles or knobs for cabinets and doors.*)

These are easy ways to begin the process of preparing your home for the market. Before listing, a more detailed, individualized analysis is recommended to be sure your home is showing at its potential.