Getting listings ready for sale is no small feat. You can find yourself having to be a project manager, general contractor, financial counselor, and marketer all at once.

Of course, everyone dreams of listings that are so good that they sell themselves. But smart agents know that there’s often a lot that happens behind the scenes to create listings that look effortless.

With a little extra effort (plus some tips from the experts), you’ll have buyers falling head over heels with your listings every time.

Declutter

Keeping a house clutter-free can be easier said than done, especially if the listing has been sitting for a while.

Encourage your sellers to get organized with a deep clean to help keep their home tidy for the long haul. Taking photos off the mantle place and removing them from hallways and countertops helps a space feel more like a “blank slate” for potential new homeowners. It also reduces dust-collectors, making it easier to keep a space feeling fresh and welcoming.

Decluttering also helps sellers get ready for their impending move. The process of selling a home is often emotional, so encourage clients to allow ample time to reminisce and feel all the feels throughout the decluttering process.

Quick Is Key

The word “renovation” can sometimes leave sellers running for the hills, but homes often sit because they are dated and in need of attention. We know that time is of the essence in real estate, especially with a looming recession and rising inflation, which is why you need to focus on quick cosmetic updates.

A fresh coat of paint, updating light fixtures, and replacing hardware are just a few ways to bring a little life back into your listing. These updates can usually be done in just a couple of weeks and won’t break the bank. And when you are ready to go the extra mile for that savvy seller looking for top dollar, that’s when you call us.

Set The Mood With Sensory Staging

Once you’ve made strategic presale updates and decluttered the space - now what? In both online (listing photos) and in-person (open houses), it is important to set the mood for your listing.

Now, we aren’t saying you should light candles, buy flowers, and play Frank Sinatra… actually… yes, we are!

Evoke the feeling of home by appealing to the senses. Draw buyers’ eyes to key features (especially if you’ve made presale updates) with bright florals. A signature scent, a tray of cookies in the oven, or fresh scented candles will enchant their sense of smell. Play some relaxing background music that will make buyers feel like they are already home.

Capture Their Attention

Your first showing is online, and in our content-flooded lives, it’s important that your listing captures buyers’ attention.

The difference between a swipe left and a showing often comes down to photos. Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste by skimping where it matters.

We’ve got tons of tips to capture scroll-stopping listing photos, but the most important one is to always work with a professional real estate photographer as they should know the basic do’s & don’ts.

Find That Special Something

As an agent, you’re an expert at knowing what sells in your market, so lean into those most-desirable features when writing your listing description. After photos, how you present the property in the description will be the next deciding factor that makes buyers want to see a property IRL.

Make sure to highlight any of the home's special features or unique qualities that might set it apart from other listings in the area. Include important buzzwords and adjectives like luxurious, stunning, desirable, spacious, immaculate, bright, cozy, serene - and you’ll have them dreaming about finally finding “the one.”

There's a lot that goes into prepping a house for sale. That's why you need a partner who will handle it all - from design to financing and everything in between. Renovation Sells does quick, stress-free presale renovations so your sellers can update, sell and move on.