How to Get Your Home in Show-Shape Quickly, Cheaply, and Easily.

A little effort in the right places goes a long way. With a few simple upgrades, your home can look its absolute best the moment you list it. Here’s a fast, budget-friendly guide to make sure it shines—inside and out.

Curb Appeal: It Matters More Than You Think

Buyers make decisions before they ever step inside. Many do a drive-by first, so your exterior needs to speak for you.

Start at the front door:

• Repaint it with a fresh, welcoming color that pops in photos.
• Update or polish hardware—locks, mailbox, house numbers. Modern, matching pieces make a big impact.
• Clean or refresh fixtures and lighting.

Tidy and brighten the yard:

• Remove tools, toys, and any debris.
• Prune shrubs, weed beds, and add fresh mulch.
• Reset or clean walkway stones.
• Consider window boxes or simple potted plants for a splash of color.

Give outdoor structures love:

• Power wash, stain, or paint decks, porches, and fences.
• Replace that tired old welcome mat with a clean one.

Inside: Make Buyers Fall in Love Instantly

Once they walk in, the space should feel bright, open, and effortless.

Declutter—ruthlessly:

• You’re moving anyway. Anything you haven’t used in a year? Let it go.
• Clear counters, minimize toys, organize paperwork.
• Pack away extra items and store them out of sight for a few days.
• Clean out closets—they should feel spacious and intentional.

Freshen every room:

• Patch and paint as needed. Repainting trim and ceilings alone can completely transform a space at half the cost of a full repaint.
• Update dated light fixtures or simply switch to bright, high-wattage bulbs (skip fluorescent).
• Remove heavy window treatments and even screens to let in maximum natural light.

Bathrooms:

• Spa-like sells. Pick up inexpensive white towels, a white shower curtain, and a fresh bath mat. Pack away the rest.

Clean like it’s a job:

• Windows, floors, appliances, counters, corners—top to bottom. Then do it again.

A Quick Reminder

We market homes differently than we live in them. Our goal is to create a clean, elevated version of your space so buyers can picture their life there—not yours.

And you don’t have to figure out any of this alone. I’ll walk you through what actually matters, what you can skip, and how to prep your home without stress. I’m here to make this easy for you.