The same advice we'd give ourselves is the advice we give every client.

As Realtors, people often ask us, "What's the first thing we should do before selling?"

Our answer usually surprises them.

It isn't painting.

It isn't staging.

And it definitely isn't putting a sign on the lawn.

The first step happens long before your home ever hits the market.

If Adam and I were selling our own home tomorrow, here's exactly how we'd prepare for a successful sale.

Day 1: We'd Walk Through Our Home Like Buyers

This might be the hardest step of all.

When you've lived in a home for years, you stop noticing the little things.

The scuffed baseboards.

The sticky door.

The chipped paint.

The light bulb that's been burned out for months.

We'd grab a notebook and walk through every room pretending we'd never seen the house before.

"What would stand out to us if this wasn't our home?"

That's where our list would begin.

Day 2: Adam Would Start Fixing the Little Things

One of the biggest advantages we have is Adam's construction background.

Before we spent a dollar on cosmetic updates, he'd tackle all the little repairs buyers notice immediately.

Things like:

• Loose door handles

• Squeaky hinges

• Touch-up paint

• Leaky faucets

• Loose trim

• Caulking

• Burnt-out light bulbs

Individually they're small.

Collectively they tell buyers the home has been cared for.

Day 3: We'd Declutter Without Depersonalizing

We wouldn't try to make our home look empty.

We'd simply make it easier for buyers to picture themselves living there.

That means:

• Clearing countertops

• Organizing closets

• Packing away seasonal décor

• Removing excess furniture

• Simplifying shelves

• Removing family photos ( you want the buyers to see their family here not yours)

Our goal wouldn't be perfection.

It would be creating a calm, welcoming space.

Day 4: We'd Decide What's Worth Spending Money On

This is where many homeowners make expensive mistakes.

We wouldn't renovate just because HGTV says we should.

Instead we'd ask one question:

Will this help buyers see more value in the home?

Sometimes that's fresh paint.

Sometimes it's new lighting.

Sometimes it's simply a professional cleaning.

And sometimes...

It's doing absolutely nothing.

Not every dollar spent comes back in your pocket.

Day 5: We'd Bring in Fresh Eyes

Even though we're Realtors, we'd still ask someone we trust to walk through our home.

Why?

Because familiarity creates blind spots.

A friend might notice something we've overlooked.

Fresh eyes almost always catch details that homeowners miss.

Day 6: We'd Let the Professionals Take Over

Professional photography.

Video.

Floor plans.

Measurements.

Marketing.

The first showing today often happens online.

We'd make sure buyers fall in love before they ever step through the front door.

Day 7: We'd Price It Strategically

This is probably the biggest one.

We wouldn't price our home based on what we hoped it was worth.

We wouldn't price it based on what our neighbour listed for.

And we definitely wouldn't "leave room to negotiate."

We'd study the current market.

Look at buyer behaviour.

Review competing homes.

And price it where buyers would be excited to book a showing.

The best pricing strategy isn't always the highest number.

It's the one that creates the most interest.

One More Thing...

This might be the hardest part.

We'd remind ourselves that once our home is listed...

It becomes a product.

Not because the memories disappear.

But because our job would be helping someone else imagine creating memories there too.

That mindset makes every other decision easier.

Final Thoughts

Preparing a home for sale isn't about creating perfection.

It's about helping buyers see the full potential of the home while removing distractions that stand in the way.

Would our home be perfect?

Absolutely not.

But we'd make sure every improvement had a purpose.

And we'd never spend money simply because we thought we were supposed to.

Thinking About Selling?

Whether you're planning to move next month or next year, we'd be happy to walk through your home and help you decide what's worth doing, what isn't, and where you can save both time and money.

There's no pressure and no obligation, just honest advice based on what we'd do if it were our own home.

Murphy Real Estate Group
Stonehaus Realty

📞 778-882-5478
📧 info@murphyreg.ca
🌐 www.murphyrealestategroup.ca

Helping homeowners throughout Langley and the Fraser Valley prepare their homes with confidence, care, and a strategy that works.