Thinking about selling your home? Before you put up the “For Sale” sign, there are a few things you can do to boost your home’s value—and make sure you get top dollar when it hits the market.

I’m Brendan Moran with Five Star Real Estate, and here are five essential steps to get the most return on your investment (ROI).

1. Clean and De-Clutter

This one’s simple—but powerful.
Hire professional cleaners to deep clean the entire house. Then remove the clutter, even if you think it gives the place “character.” Buyers need to see the house—not your knickknacks, personal photos, or countertop gadgets.

A clean, uncluttered home feels bigger, brighter, and more valuable. Don’t underestimate this step.

2. Make Necessary Repairs

Before buyers even think about offering top dollar, they’re checking for red flags.

Take care of those small repairs now:

• Leaky faucets

• Sticky doors

• Worn-out caulking

• Missing screens

• Loose railings

These are the little things that buyers notice—and they add up in their minds.

Want to go the extra mile? Consider getting a pre-listing home inspection to catch any hidden issues early. It gives you more control—and fewer surprises.

3. Enhance Curb Appeal

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Buyers start forming opinions the moment they pull up to the curb.
So spruce up the outside:

• Power wash the front door

• Mow and edge the lawn

• Trim shrubs and trees

• Add fresh bark or mulch

• Plant some seasonal flowers

A small investment in curb appeal can have a big impact on perceived value.

4. Stage to Sell

Whether your home is lived-in or vacant, staging matters.

If you’re using your own furniture, we’ll help you take a critical eye—removing excess pieces and rearranging what’s left for maximum effect.
If the home is empty, hiring a professional stager can help buyers envision themselves living there—which often leads to higher offers.

5. Price It Right

This might be the most important step of all.

Many sellers overprice their homes, thinking they’ll “leave room to negotiate.” But what actually happens is they scare away buyers, and the home sits. The longer it’s on the market, the more stale it looks—and the lower your eventual offer might be.

The goal? Price it to attract a crowd.
When multiple buyers are interested, they’ll compete—and you’ll often sell for over asking.

Final Thoughts

Selling a home is both an art and a science. With the right strategy, you can maximize value, avoid stress, and make the process smooth.

If you're ready to get started or just want expert advice tailored to your home, message me or my team at Five Star Real Estate. We’re here to help you make every dollar count.