{"id":104711,"date":"2026-07-31T14:02:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=104711"},"modified":"2026-07-31T14:12:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:12:35","slug":"things-to-do-before-selling-your-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/things-to-do-before-selling-your-house\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Things To Do Before Selling Your House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Selling your home<\/span><\/a>? Smart preparation leads to a smoother sale, stronger offers, and fewer surprises during closing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Preparing to sell your house involves much more than just snapping a couple of photos and listing the property. As high mortgage rates force more sellers to <\/span>pull their homes off the market <\/span><\/a>and <\/span>keep buyers on the sidelines<\/span><\/a>, being properly prepared to sell is critical.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this Redfin article, we\u2019ll break down the 12 essential things to do before selling your house. This includes how to appeal to buyers, how to work with an agent to make your home stand out, and key financial considerations that can directly impact your home\u2019s market value, like reviewing your mortgage or<\/span> refinance history<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Schedule a pre-listing walkthrough with your agent<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you touch a paintbrush or call a stager, find a real estate agent and schedule a <\/span>pre-listing consultation<\/span><\/a>. These can identify which updates will actually improve value and which ones you can skip, based on your neighborhood, price point, and current market demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have one chance to make a first impression on a buyer, so it\u2019s important to get it right,\u201d says <\/span>Tamara Mattox-Kabat<\/span><\/a>, a Redfin Premier Agent and Interior Designer serving the <\/span>Denver, CO<\/span><\/a> area. \u201cWalking through the home with a real estate agent can help you spot issues that sellers often overlook, such as water stains, odors, cracks, or uneven flooring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Understand current local market conditions<\/span><\/h2>\n

The housing market <\/span>has been difficult<\/span><\/a> in most parts of the country for years, leading to very limited demand and muted supply. With pending home sales hitting a <\/span>three-month low<\/span><\/a> in July 2026 and mortgage rates continuing to hover above 6%, some buyers have been stuck on the sidelines while sellers face increased pressure to make their homes stand out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your real estate agent should have a thorough understanding of trends in your area and will run a comparative market analysis to help you set a winning strategy. The factors they\u2019ll consider include <\/span>recently sold comps<\/span><\/a> nearby, current active listings (your competition), days on market, buyer demand, and seasonality.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Declutter and depersonalize the space<\/span><\/h2>\n

Buyers need to envision themselves living in the home. That starts with removing personal items, oversized furniture, and anything that distracts from the space itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore listing your home, focus on <\/span>decluttering<\/span><\/a> and depersonalising each room so buyers can easily envision themselves living there,\u201d Apple Suico with<\/span> Phixer<\/span><\/a> emphasizes. Providing potential buyers with a clean visual slate makes it easier for them to imagine their lives in that space.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Tackle repairs around the house<\/span><\/h2>\n

During a pre-listing walkthrough, your agent will alert sellers to items that could raise red flags during a buyer\u2019s inspection. Addressing these in advance can reduce renegotiation headaches later. \u201cSmall <\/span>repairs<\/span><\/a> like fixing leaky faucets, repainting scuffed walls, and updating tired lighting can have a big impact on perceived value,\u201d Suico notes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common repairs include:<\/span><\/p>\n