The 30-Day Home Prep Guide

Week 1: Clear the Space

Nothing undermines a home's perceived value faster than clutter. Before you repair, paint, or stage anything, declutter.

The 30–40% rule: Remove at least 30–40% of the contents of every room, furniture, personal items, decorations, and anything that makes spaces feel crowded. Buyers need space to mentally "move in."

Room by room:

• Kitchen: Remove everything from countertops except 1–2 decorative items. Clear the fridge of magnets. Organize cabinets, buyers open everything.
• Living areas: Remove at least one piece of furniture per crowded room. Clear bookshelves to 60–70% full. Remove personal photos and family memorabilia.
• Bedrooms: Clear nightstands to one item each. Closets should be no more than 70% full, buyers judge storage.
• Bathrooms: Remove all personal care products from counters. Keep only 2–3 decorative items visible. Hide medications.

Storage tip: Rent a storage unit for 30–60 days. The cost ($100–$200/month) is far less than the value of a clutter-free presentation.

Deep cleaning: Professional cleaning service ($200–$500) for a full deep clean. Pay special attention to grout, windows, baseboards, ceiling fans, and light fixtures. Eliminate all pet odors with enzymatic cleaner, not masking sprays.

Week 2: Fix What Buyers Will Notice

High-priority repairs (always worth doing):

• Dripping faucets and running toilets
• Sticking or squeaking doors and drawers
• Broken light switches and outlets
• Any obviously peeling paint or cracked tile
• Burned-out light bulbs, replace with consistent warm white throughout

Fresh paint: The single highest-ROI improvement you can make. A fresh coat of neutral paint makes a home look newer, cleaner, and better maintained.

Colors that sell: Warm whites and greiges, Benjamin Moore White Dove, Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige, Agreeable Gray. Crisp white trim. Avoid bold accent walls and overly trendy colors.

What NOT to bother repairing: Cosmetic issues standard for the home's age and price range, anything buyers will immediately change themselves, and over-improvements that won't appear in comparable sales.