The road to a successful home sale doesn’t start at the negotiation table. It begins well before the first buyer ever steps through the door. If you’re considering selling your home, there are 10 things a seller must do before selling to give themselves a serious advantage in the market. And no, it’s not just about fluffing pillows or lighting a candle before a showing. These are strategic, high-impact moves designed to maximize your home’s appeal and value.
The same rule applies to anyone aiming for a solid sale: preparation beats reaction. The second key to your success? Working with someone who knows exactly how to guide you through the process. Robbie English, REALTOR and Broker at Uncommon Realty, and his experienced team have helped countless sellers get top dollar for their homes. Backed by decades of experience, Robbie is not only a real estate expert but also a national real estate speaker and instructor trusted to teach agents nationwide. He has strategically mastered real estate to benefit his clients—and he’ll do the same for you.
Let’s talk details.
TLDR: 10 Things A Seller Must Do Before Selling
- Paint with neutral tones to refresh the home and make it market-ready.
- Declutter thoroughly so buyers can envision living in the space.
- Eliminate pests to remove red flags and instill buyer confidence.
- Deep clean and upgrade the kitchen, flooring, and curb appeal.
- Define each room’s purpose clearly to help buyers connect emotionally.
Start With a Fresh Coat of Paint
Before listing, take a step back and imagine walking into your home for the first time. Do the walls whisper elegance or scream wear and tear? Fresh paint does wonders. It brightens, modernizes, and even makes spaces feel larger.
Stick with neutral tones. You might adore your deep forest green office, but potential buyers need a blank canvas. Light grays, soft beiges, and creamy whites let them envision their own lives inside your walls. Robbie and his team recommend this as one of the essential 10 things a seller must do before selling.
Interior and exterior both matter. Faded shutters and chipped trim won’t go unnoticed. A clean, cohesive paint job signals care, pride, and readiness.
Declutter Like You’re Already Moving
Stuff. We all have too much of it. But too much stuff makes your home feel small, cramped, and personal—all things that work against you in a sale.
It’s time to start packing. And no, this doesn’t mean shoving things into closets or under beds. We mean real, room-by-room decluttering. Store or donate items that aren’t essential. Robbie’s strategy here is clear: make your home feel as much like a model home as possible.
Decluttering opens up the flow of the home. It lets buyers move freely and imagine how they’d make the space their own. That emotional connection is exactly what leads to offers.
Take Care of Pests Before Buyers Notice Them
Even a tiny trail of ants can be a major deterrent. Nothing says “neglected” like visible signs of pests.
This is one of the 10 things a seller must do before selling that sellers often overlook. Whether it’s a wasp nest under the eaves, evidence of termites in the garage, or just a spider or two too many, it’s critical to address pest issues proactively.
Bring in professionals. Patch up entry points. Clean up food sources. And be honest about anything you’ve already treated—transparency builds trust.
Clean Windows: It’s More Important Than You Think
If your windows are streaked or foggy, you’re not just hiding the view. You’re blocking out natural light and diminishing your home’s sparkle.
Clean windows make a space feel bigger, brighter, and better maintained. They let in light and offer an unfiltered look at the neighborhood. From both inside and out, they matter.
Robbie English recommends having them professionally cleaned just before listing photos and open houses. You want buyers to see their reflection—and their future—in those panes.
Polish Your Curb Appeal
First impressions matter. Within seconds of pulling up to your home, buyers start forming opinions. Landscaping, entryways, even the mailbox plays a role.
Trim hedges. Edge your lawn. Plant fresh flowers or add potted greenery. Clean the driveway and sidewalks. Replace faded house numbers and fix broken lights.
This is more than cosmetic. Curb appeal sets buyer expectations for what they’ll find inside. One of the top secondary keyword phrases sellers should keep in mind is “how to prepare your home for the market,” and enhancing curb appeal is one of the key steps.
Deep Clean Everything
No detail is too small. Buyers open ovens. They peek inside closets. They glance at baseboards. If any of those are dirty, it leaves the impression that the rest of the home has also been neglected.
Hire a professional cleaning service or go at it yourself with military precision. Clean carpets, wipe down baseboards, scrub grout, polish appliances, and dust every surface.
A clean home feels loved. And a loved home is one buyers want.
Refresh or Upgrade Kitchen Cabinets
You don’t need a full remodel to make your kitchen sing. The cabinets alone carry major weight.
Start with a deep clean and polishing. If they’re scratched or dated, consider sanding and repainting. New doors or just new hardware can make a surprising difference.
Buyers know the kitchen is the hub of the home. When it looks fresh and inviting, it reassures them that the rest of the home has been cared for too.
Add a Backsplash for Instant Kitchen Style
Simple upgrades with high design impact—backsplashes check both boxes. Whether you choose classic subway tile or a more modern glass mosaic, a new backsplash makes your kitchen pop.
This minor renovation can turn a standard space into a standout feature. It doesn’t take much time or money, but it adds layers of value and style that buyers immediately notice.
Again, this goes straight back to “how to prepare your home for the market.”
Update Flooring for Maximum Impact
Old or damaged flooring can quickly turn buyers off. It’s one of the most visible surfaces in your home—and also one of the easiest to update with immediate results.
Hardwoods? Refinish them. Carpets? Clean them professionally or replace with laminate or vinyl plank. Tile? Scrub the grout and replace cracked pieces.
The right flooring gives your entire home a refreshed, elevated feel. Robbie and his team often advise clients to address flooring first when planning home improvements.
Give Each Room a Clear Purpose
Buyers don’t want to solve puzzles. When they walk into a room, they should immediately understand its use.
That means transforming catch-all spaces into defined areas. The bonus room becomes a home office. The storage room gets reimagined as a guest suite. The basement workout space turns into a cozy media lounge.
Purpose adds value. It tells buyers your home is ready for theirs.
Why Work With Robbie English and His Team?
Anyone can list your house. But not everyone can guide you strategically through the 10 things a seller must do before selling or expertly show you how to prepare your home for the market with confidence and finesse.
Robbie English is not your average agent. With decades of experience, he brings depth, insight, and results to every transaction. As a national speaker and real estate instructor, Robbie doesn’t just practice real estate—he teaches it to others. He’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and he’s engineered systems to ensure his clients come out ahead.
His team at Uncommon Realty is handpicked for their attention to detail and commitment to service. They know how to highlight your property, negotiate for your best interests, and close the deal with the least hassle and most gain.
When you work with Robbie, you’re not just hiring an agent. You’re partnering with a strategist, educator, and advocate who has refined the art of real estate to benefit people like you. Don’t settle for average when you can list smart. Robbie’s approach is customized, thorough, and designed to give you an edge—not just a chance.
Ready to make your next move? Start by mastering the 10 things a seller must do before selling. And partner with Robbie English, the expert who’s mastered every one of them.
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