Things I’m Doing to Get Ready to List My Own House (As a Realtor) 🏡

Sydney Chappell
Jan 20
3 min read

Why this matters if you’re thinking about selling your home

If you’ve ever wondered what a realtor actually does when selling their own home, you’re not alone. When it came time for me to prepare my house for the market, I approached it the same way I advise my clients—strategically, intentionally, and with resale in mind.

Selling your home isn’t just about putting a sign in the yard. It’s about making your house feel like the easiest “yes” for the buyer who walks through the door. Here are the exact steps I’m taking right now to get my own home ready to list—and why they matter for sellers.

1. Ruthlessly Declutter (And I Mean Ruthlessly) 📦

The very first thing I did was start moving things out of the house early. Last year, I went ahead and rented a storage unit, and I’ve been steadily filling it ever since—holiday décor, attic items, off-season belongings, all of it.

Why? Because buyers need to walk into a home and instantly feel like:

“This would be easy for me to move into.”

Clutter—even neatly organized clutter—makes rooms feel smaller and more overwhelming. If you can move it out now, move it out now. You’ll thank yourself later.

Seller takeaway: If you’re debating whether something should stay or go, it probably needs to go.

2. “Buttoning Up” the House (The Stuff Buyers Notice) 🔧

This is one of the most overlooked steps when preparing a home for sale.

We recently remodeled a bathroom in my house—new tile, new trim, the works. But here’s the thing: even though it looked great, the trim still had nail holes that hadn’t been filled yet.

That may sound minor, but buyers notice details like that.

So before listing, I’m:

Filling nail holes
Recaulking where needed
Touching up and repainting trim

Buyers don’t want to feel like they’re walking into a to-do list. Even small unfinished details can subconsciously turn someone off.

Seller takeaway: Finish the “almost done” projects. They matter more than you think.

3. Choosing Updates That Actually Pay Off 💰

Not all updates are created equal.

Instead of spreading money across a dozen small upgrades, I focused on high-impact improvements, including:

Refinishing hardwood floors
Installing new countertops
Fully transforming the primary bathroom

These are changes buyers feel when they walk into a home, and they tend to offer the best return when it’s time to sell.

Seller takeaway: If you’re updating before selling, prioritize the spaces buyers care about most.

4. Documenting the Home (Before Saying Goodbye) 📸

This part surprised me emotionally.

This is the house where I brought my babies home. I’m very attached to it. While I have plenty of phone photos, I decided to invest in a professional photo session of the house before listing—just for us.

It’s not required, but if you can afford it, it’s such a meaningful way to preserve the memories before turning the page.

Seller takeaway: Selling can be emotional. Acknowledge that—and plan for it.

Thinking About Selling Your Home? Let’s Talk 🤍

Preparing my own house to sell has reinforced something I tell my clients all the time: strategy matters. Decluttering, finishing details, choosing the right updates—it all adds up.

If you’re thinking about selling and want honest guidance on: