1. Repairs

There are several reasons to complete repairs on your home before you put it on the market. Ultimately,
buyers will pay more for a home to avoid the work of fixing it, and they will pay faster.
Moreover, any money you invest into repairs before you list — when you have time to price-shop and
to use a little bit of elbow grease — will be far less than the quote from the home inspector or the
concessions for which buyers will ask.
The good news is that most repairs are merely cosmetic and fairly inexpensive. Think of the things on
your to-do list: that leaky faucet and the cracked bathroom tile that’s been bothering you as you’ve
lived in the house — they’re going to bother the new owners too.

2. Cleanliness

You wouldn’t want your mother to come over when your house was dirty, would you? And you’re not
even trying to get her to shell out thousands of dollars for the place!
Buyers are easily distracted, and they will tend to focus on the negatives instead of the positives of each
home they tour. Each dish left in the sink or dust bunny in the corner is going to detract from the
perceived value of your home, which means a lower offer amount and more time on the market for
you.

3. Staging
According to a recent study by the National Association of REALTORS, 96% of buyer agents reported
that staging had some effect on their clients’ view of homes. They said that staging made it easier for
their clients to visualize the properties as a future home and that they were more likely to overlook
property faults.
And these effects turned into cash for sellers just like you. The survey revealed that 52% of buyer
clients were willing to offer more on a staged home than a similar home that was not staged — as much
as 20% more than asking price!