So you’re thinking about selling your house in the next five years? There are plenty of tips for selling your home, but the most important one is this: start preparing now.
If you’ve lived in your family home for over a decade, chances are it’s become a bit of a storage unit. From garages to basements, closets to cabinets — stuff accumulates. When we realized we’d be selling our home within a year, I got to work immediately. And the very first thing I did? I asked a friend who had just moved what advice she had.
Her response was short and sweet: “Start now.”
So I did. And now I’m sharing the best tips that helped us prepare our home for sale — especially if you’ve been in your home for 10+ years.
1. Purge, Then Purge Again
The first and most obvious tip for selling your home is to declutter. And not just once. This is a multi-round process.
Start with your clothes and make some generous donations to your local charity or thrift store. Then, tackle your bookshelves. Ask yourself — when was the last time you read that book? Keep your favorites, donate the rest to your library, or recycle them.
Work your way through drawers, closets, cabinets, the kitchen, the garage, the basement — everything. Be ruthless. You’ll be shocked by how much easier it is to clean, organize, and show your home once the excess is gone.
2. Trash or Give Away the Rest
Not everything can be donated. Over the years, we accumulate trash — or at least things we no longer need.
One woman stopped by our home and took some ratty old dolls from the 1970s. She was a collector, and she was thrilled. What was trash to us was treasure to her.
We also used Bagster (available at Home Depot) to get rid of bulky junk we couldn’t donate. Each bag sat on our driveway and was filled with broken furniture, random “just-in-case” items, and more. We filled two bags, and they were hauled away the next day. For larger items, like our broken ping pong table, we hired a local junk removal service.
3. Sell Your Extra Furniture (and Make Some Cash)
Let’s be honest — you probably have too much furniture. We sure did.
Selling furniture isn’t just a great way to prepare for staging, it can also bring in some real money. We sold all of our bookcases (after donating the books), and even listed a shuffleboard table. Facebook Marketplace became our best friend — we made thousands of dollars from it.
Pro tip: Garage sales usually aren’t worth it, and estate sales can be hit-or-miss. Selling online, if you have the time, is far more effective.
Be cautious when using Facebook Marketplace. Only communicate through the platform. Before agreeing to meet, check the buyer’s Marketplace and personal profile. If they have no prior activity or their location isn’t nearby, move on. Always have someone home with you during pickups, and follow safe selling guidelines.
4. Ditch the Clutter — Yes, Even the Tchotchkes
We all love a good HomeGoods find… but your buyers don’t want to see every candle, vase, or figurine you’ve collected over the years.
Too many knickknacks make a home feel cluttered. Clear off surfaces, simplify shelves, and aim for a clean, open look that photographs well.
5. Get Rid of Old Paint and Hazardous Waste
If your garage or basement is full of old paint cans, now’s the time to deal with them. We had about thirty — each one a dusty reminder of past projects. You can harden paint with cat litter or paint hardener and then dispose of it responsibly.
Also, take a look at your old electronics and chemicals. Many counties offer hazardous waste collection events. We live in Loudoun County and simply drove our items to a local drop-off. Office Depot and Best Buy also accept electronics for recycling.
6. Fix the Little Things
You don’t need to invest in a full remodel, but fixing small issues can make a big difference. Patch dents, repair broken doorstops, and tighten loose handles. One friend even hired a home inspector before listing to get ahead of any surprises.
Fresh paint is a low-cost way to update your home. Stick to light, neutral tones to brighten rooms and make them feel bigger.
Avoid major upgrades unless they’re absolutely necessary — your buyer will likely want to personalize the space anyway.
7. Simplify and Stage Each Room
Preparing your home to sell means editing every room down to the essentials. For example, our dining room had two extra side tables we never really used — just leftover rearrangements over the years. Once we removed them, the room looked more spacious and intentional.
When we sold our bookshelves, our bedroom felt twice as large — a huge plus for real estate photos.
8. The Emotional Side of Letting Go
Here’s one tip for selling your home that no one talks about: giving yourself the emotional space to say goodbye.
Starting early gives you time to process the change. Our belongings carry memories — and sometimes, they hold us back. Whether you’re downsizing or just simplifying, letting go is part of the process. And it can be freeing.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait to Prepare
The best tip for selling your home — especially if you’ve been in it for ten years or more — is to start now. You don’t need an expensive staging company. Just clear the clutter, clean thoroughly, fix what’s broken, and simplify each room.
Your future self — and your future buyers — will thank you.
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