Declutter, Repair, Refresh: A 3-Step Approach to Boost Home Value

Selling your home is like being single again. Before going back on the market, you’ll need to make a few changes to lure the best offers. First, you’ll need to let go of the things you no longer need, then address those flaws and spruce up the rest. This 3-step approach will show you how to declutter, repair, and refresh your home to boost its value.

Prepping your home for sale might be emotional, but the return on investment (ROI) will be worth it.

Step 1: Declutter for Maximum Space

Unless you are a minimalist, you likely have too much stuff. Before selling your home, you must view it through the eyes of the prospective buyer.

Imagine a showroom: It’s clean, there are multiple pathways, and your gaze gently flutters from detail to detail without fatigue. Showrooms aren’t functional, but they drive sales.

How to Declutter and Stage a Home

Remove all personal items: Depersonalizing your home lets people envision themselves in the space. Your gallery wall of family photos and eclectic artwork marks the space as your domain.

It’s time to break up with your home: trophies, souvenirs, craft, and hobby clutter should be out of sight. Unless you have a dedicated home gym, exercise equipment can go into storage. Even seasonal decor will need to wait until after you’ve moved.

Digital decluttering: Old technology can decrease the perceived value of your home, even if you plan to take it with you. While newer devices are acceptable to display, the cords can be unsightly. To create a showroom feel, keep smart hubs, routers, and wires out of sight. I use zip ties and packing tape to hide power cords behind furniture for a polished look. Dispose of old electronics responsibly.

Clutter-free closets: Believe me, during open houses, people are looking in every closet and pantry. A sparse space looks larger than a crowded one, so consider getting a storage unit to hold your things.

Follow a System

Whether you use the 90/90 rule or subscribe to the KonMari Method, find a decluttering style that works for you.

Here are a few of my favorite decluttering practices:

• The 50/50 rule: Take everything out of a room and only put half of it back. This rule is great for closets, pantries, and mudrooms/foyers. This minimalistic aesthetic is perfect for home staging and real estate photographs.
• The 90/90 rule: If you haven’t used an item in the last 90 days, and you don’t plan to use it in the next 90 days, it’s time to say goodbye. This rule is helpful in kitchens and bathrooms.
• The KonMari method: This method examines your emotional connection to your things. When you hold or inspect the item, does it “spark joy”? If not, it’s time to let it go. This method works for basements, attics, and garages.

Step 2: Repair the Red Flags

Over time, we become desensitized to the inconveniences around us. We say things like, “Oh, that door sticks, you gotta really pull,” and “Just ignore that bucket under the sink. I’ve been meaning to fix that leak.”

These nuisances that you’ve neglected are major red flags to fix before selling your home.

Here are some of the most common red flags to address before selling a home:

Pre-sale home repairs eliminate inspection issues and increase your home’s value.

Critical Water & Moisture Issues

• Seal Leaks: Repair or replace any leaking faucets, showerheads, or running toilets.
• Caulk & Grout: Inspect all seals in the kitchen and bathrooms. Replace old, cracked, or moldy caulk and grout.
• Water Stains: Identify the source, fix the leak, then repair the ceiling or wall. Paint over the area and ensure it stays dry.
• Sump Pump: Test the sump pump to ensure it activates properly and clear any debris from the basin.

Mechanical & Safety Quick Fixes

• Door Hardware: Tighten loose doorknobs, cabinet handles, and hinges. Ensure all doors latch securely.
• Lighting: Replace all burnt-out light bulbs. Ensure all switches and dimmer knobs work without buzzing.
• Wobbly Elements: Secure any wobbly deck railings, banisters, or loose floorboards.
• Missing Covers: Replace missing or broken electrical outlet and switch covers.

Curb Appeal & Exterior Integrity

• Gutter Clearance: Clean all gutters and downspouts. Water should drain away from the home’s foundation.
• Pressure Washing: Pressure-wash the walkways, siding, driveway, deck, and front door.
• Landscaping: Trim all shrubs and trees back from the house, ensuring no branches touch the roof or siding.
• Entryway Update: Paint or clean the front door. Replace a dated or damaged mailbox and house numbers.

HVAC, Electrical, and Appliance Prep

• Filter Replacement: Install a brand-new HVAC air filter.
• Appliance Function: Ensure all built-in appliances (dishwasher, disposal, oven) function correctly and are visibly clean.
• GFCI/AFCI Testing: Test all Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets (in wet areas like baths, garages, and kitchens) to confirm they trip when tested.
• Smoke/CO Alarms: Test and replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Landscaping

• Mow, edge, and blow the leaves and clippings off your lawn for a clean look.
• Refresh the mulch in the flowerbeds.
• Trim the trees and shrubs.
• Remove toys, clutter, and unsightly patio furniture.
• Conduct a fall cleanup (or spring cleanup before your first mow of the season). 

Step 3: Refresh for Modern Appeal

After you fix the red flags, it’s time to focus on appearances. Each year, design trends come and go like speed daters, but a few simple upgrades can update your home’s look.

Here’s how to refresh your home’s aesthetic for a modern appeal:

A Fresh Coat of Paint: Painting your home is an affordable way to refresh your home’s aesthetics. Accent walls, white crown molding, and high-gloss finishes are OUT. Neutral colors and matching trim are always in style.

A fresh coat of paint provides the highest ROI, but choosing the right color and sheen can be tricky. Top designers use the same color in different sheens to create cohesion. Walls should be eggshell, ceilings flat, and trim should be low sheen.

A simple off-white is the best paint color for resale. A fresh coat of paint brightens your home and makes the rooms appear larger.

Improve the Lighting: Bad lighting ruins real estate photography and the feel of your home.

Here are a few tips to boost your home’s lighting;

• Replace outdated light fixtures: That gold octagonal monstrosity in the foyer has to go. Replace kitchen pendants and track lighting with mono points and recessed lighting.
• Seek Soft lighting: Choose bulbs with a Kelvin range from 2700 to 3000 to highlight your home’s features without feeling too cold or dramatic.
• Update your lighting: Adding dimmers, LED bulbs, and smart switches is an easy way to boost the appearance and value of your home.

Focus on the Kitchen and Bathrooms: Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. There are lots of minor upgrades you can do to boost your home’s value (no renovations needed).

Minor renovations for maximum resale value:

• Replace dated drawer pulls and cabinet knobs.
• Add energy-efficient appliances.
• Swap old shower curtains for glass doors.
• Swap out the switch plates
• Take down dated window treatments
• Add molding to doors
• Update faucets, showerheads, and towel bars.
• Replace large frameless bathroom mirrors with floating framed mirrors.
• Regrout flaking, dirty showers.

Professional Staging and Photography

After letting go of all that clutter, making repairs, and modernizing your home’s appearance, it’s time to show off all that hard work.

Professional home staging and real estate photography are the best marketing strategies.

Realtors know how to arrange furniture to give your home a natural flow and tone down the artwork for maximum appeal.

Real estate photographers use high-res cameras and drones to create interactive virtual tours and high-resolution images that smartphone cameras can’t replicate.

Expert Quote: “According to the National Association of Realtors, staged properties can sell for 5-10% more than unstaged properties,” says Ryan DeLaGarza, team lead of Ryan DeLaGarza Real Estate Group at Compass Park Cities in Dallas. “I always tell clients that in order to get the most people through the door, professional photography is an absolute must. 

“As a listing agent, I cover the cost of all professional photography as I have vendors that I trust to do a good job for my client,” he adds

“Staging can be an investment upfront, but the return is more than worth it,” DeLaGarza says. “When staging, we focus on getting the living areas and primary bedroom staged – anything above and beyond that can help, but most buyers seem to be interested in making sense of these main areas. 

“Above all, decluttering and depersonalizing a property is of utmost importance. A buyer needs to be able to see themselves living in a home without feeling overwhelmed by seller belongings,” he says.

“If a seller needs to rent a storage unit to store excess belongings, I highly recommend that in order to maximize the appeal of their property,” DeLaGarza says.

Conclusion

Prepping your home for resale is a lot of work, but for many, the biggest challenge is tackling years of clutter. Unwanted furniture, outdated electronics, and garage debris decrease the perceived value of your home.

Selling a home is hard enough; let Jiffy Junk tackle the decluttering process. We handle the heavy lifting and responsible disposal, letting you focus on the high-ROI tasks like painting, repairs, and upgrades.

Book online and get a free estimate.