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Thinking about putting your house on the market? It’s an exciting time for you and your family, but it also probably means a good deal of work ahead. Not only is there the work of moving everything that you own into a new home, but you also have to prepare your current home to sell. And, you want to do everything you can to make sure it sells quickly, and at a price that is fairly close to your asking price.

So what are some of these things you can do to help move things along? There are plenty of small things, like making sure the house is very clean before opening it up for showings, putting a good amount of thought and care into your listing and the pictures that accompany it, and following best practices for staging your home. But there are a few bigger projects that you’ll want to tackle before you even list your home for sale.

Here are the projects we recommend getting done before selling your home.

1. Get rid of (a lot of) clutter.

You might be tempted to think this doesn’t qualify as a “bigger” project. Well, think again. Most of us have more “stuff” than we realize, and a move usually makes this glaringly apparent. If you take the time to clear out a lot of your stuff before you list your home, you’ll accomplish two things. First, you’ll make your move much easier, since you are already half-packed. Second, it will be much easier to give your home the clean, “blank slate” feeling that many buyers are looking for when choosing a home. So rent a storage unit, and pack up and clear out anything that you don’t absolutely need. It will make your life easier, and your home easier to sell.

2. Repair broken windows and doors.

Windows or doors that creak, stick, jam, or otherwise don’t function well, do not leave a good impression on potential buyers. If you have windows and doors that require a little attention, especially if the problem is visible, take some time to make these repairs before listing the home. All it takes is for a buyer to notice one broken thing to make them wonder what other problems the home is hiding.

3. Re-paint.

If there’s one thing you can do that will have a big impact on your home’s appeal, it’s updating the paint. Not only will you be able to say that the home has been freshly painted, you’ll also be creating a clean feeling throughout the house that will appeal to buyers. Choose a paint in a light, neutral color (consider asking at the hardware or paint supply store for popular options); this will lighten up the home and give it a fresh, updated look. If you’re unable to repaint your entire house, you should at least repaint rooms where the paint is noticeably bad. Or, if even that isn’t an option, touch up the worst places and wash or dust the rest. Remember: you’re going for a clean, bright appearance.

4. Give your landscaping some love.

Not only is the front of the house the first thing potential buyers will see, but the backyard will create a backdrop for everything they see once they’re inside. As such, it’s important that both the front and back of your house are well-kept and as clean as possible before listing. Clear out any trash, junk, or other debris from the yard, and make sure any toys or play equipment are in good, clean condition. Cut the grass, trim the hedges, and plant flowers or trees to show that you’ve taken pride of ownership in your yard (and by extension, your house). If you have a pool, fountain, or other water feature, make sure it is clean, clear, and functional before showing or taking pictures of the home. These projects can go a long way when it comes to selling your home successfully.

You’ll have plenty of work to occupy your time once the selling, buying, and moving process is underway, so get these large projects out of the way before the other chaos starts. These projects will pay off in the end as your home photographs well, shows well, and hopefully, sells well.

If you’re looking for a storage unit in the Phoenix area to help you with your upcoming move, look no further than Arizona Storage Centers. We have facilities throughout the Valley, in Glendale, Phoenix, Deer Valley, Chandler, and Gilbert, that offer flexible and convenient storage solutions for secure keeping of all your belongings. Give us a call at 480-386-6022 to learn more about our storage options, or visit one of our centers to talk with a friendly associate today. We look forward to helping you!