If you are thinking about selling your home sometime this year, now is the time to start preparing your home for a quick and profitable sale. Here are 7 things you can start on now to make selling and moving less stressful.

1. Declutter: Decluttering has multiple benefits, the primary three are: You start weighing if you really “need” or will have room for items in your new home, it will be less stuff to move when you sell, and the potential home buyers will be able to envision their stuff (not yours) more easily in the home. 

PROFESSIONAL TIP: A practical first step is to purchase plastic storage totes with lids (You will need many more than you think, but most homeowners will need at least 20-40 of them) and start filling them with smaller, loose items (NOTE: Marking with a marker and some masking tape them so you don’t have to remember what is in each one will save you a lot of headaches)

2. De-personalize: This is important to start early because the process of making your home (sanctuary), more like a house (to sell to a stranger!) takes time to get used to the idea, especially if you have been in the same home for decades and have acquired  lots of family photo’s and mementos, many of them hanging on walls, which by the way…. These walls then should be patched and painted if possible. 

PROFESSIONAL TIP: When you have a wall that seems too big and bare, maybe a run to Home Goods or Hobby Lobby for a less personalized, but widely popular decor to give some color or texture. 

3. Wipe down all walls and woodwork:  A simple solution of vinegar and warm(freshened frequently) water will cheaply refresh your walls, cabinets, and trim, and it also helps to “discover or remember” scuff marks, wounds, and dents, as they should be addressed if possible.

4. Paint: Simply put, nothing can beat fresh paint to refresh a room that might need more than a paint job, but it takes the "edge" off the other negative or less desirable features.       

PROFESSIONAL TIP: You can hire a color consultant if you’re scared or stuck, sometimes stagers will do a “2” step meeting and color consult as well, it would be worth a text! The small investment now will have HIGH gains when you sell. Most real estate professionals estimate painting is generally 300%-500%! (cost versus sales value gain)

5. Investigate Odd or Musty smells: Often times, the smell of our home is hard to detect by ourselves (Nose-blind). Having a friend or professional from the outside be honest about any odor will be helpful in identifying and fixing it early. Things that might help would be steam cleaning carpets, wiping down all walls (Here is a good article from DIY Network) and maybe even adding more ventilation will help? Simply masking odor problems with an air freshener or essential oils will only lead to buyer thinking of “worst case scenario’s” as to the cause of the odor, and increase possible mistrust.

6. Hire a home inspector?: Some cities with older existing homes automatically require a pre-list inspection. Regardless, hiring a home inspector will minimize “bad surprise” situations later, and it also sends STRONG message to the potential buyer that you are aware and realistic about the condition of your home.  This could also be your guide of what needs to be fixed.  This may put you one step ahead of the competition, therefore aiding in a faster and higher sale price.

7. Consult a trusted experienced realtor: Most agents, especially ones who have an established reputation for serving their clients best interests are great referral sources for most everything we have discussed that is either too much work or too overwhelming to get done on your own.

Avoid agents who are trying to rush you into signing a contract. Let them earn YOUR Trust and YOUR business before you agree to actually hire them. You could even simply google who is a "trusted agent in your city" if you don't have one that you feel comfortable with....

More Staging Tips & Ideas from Ashley Lubs