Pre-Market Improvements That Reap Big Rewards

Transforming their home, one brushstroke at a time! Prepping for a top-dollar sale with smart updates and a fresh new look.

Selling your home is more than just listing it—it’s a strategy, a process, and ultimately, a business decision. As a real estate broker with nearly three decades in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how small pre-market improvements can translate into thousands of dollars in added value. The truth is, buyers make snap judgments, and it’s up to you to make sure your home stands out for the right reasons.

When preparing to sell, your home must be more than just a place you live—it needs to become a product that appeals to the widest pool of buyers possible. That means decluttering, freshening up paint, improving curb appeal, and handling those minor (but crucial) updates that make a world of difference. And once your home hits the market, it needs to be show-ready at all times. Buyers don’t work on your schedule—they come when they come, and if you’re serious about selling, you need to be prepared.

Making the Most of Your Showings

Marketing, staging, and pricing all play a role in selling a home, but if a buyer walks in and finds a major turnoff, none of that will matter. I always tell my clients: look at your home through the eyes of a buyer. What might seem small to you could be a deal-breaker to them.

Here are some common mistakes that cost sellers money—mistakes I’ve helped countless homeowners avoid.

1. Neglecting Curb Appeal

Your yard is the very first thing buyers see. If it’s overgrown and unkempt, buyers will assume the rest of the home has been neglected, too. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen buyers pull up to a house, take one look at an overgrown lawn, and drive away without even stepping inside.

Pro tip: Trim the bushes, add fresh mulch, and make the entrance welcoming. A little effort here makes a huge impact.

2. Pets in the Home

I love pets. But not all buyers do. Even if your pets are well-behaved, buyers may see them as a source of odor, allergens, or even damage. Worse yet, if a buyer gets scratched or tripped, you could be dealing with more than just a lost sale—you could be facing legal trouble.

If you have pets, make arrangements to remove them (and their belongings) during showings. You don’t want a potential buyer distracted by pet odors or barking instead of focusing on your beautiful home.

3. A Dirty Kitchen and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. Period. If these areas aren’t spotless, you’re turning buyers off before they even have a chance to fall in love with the rest of the home.

Buyers don’t want to see dirty dishes, toothpaste blobs in the sink, or towels on the floor. They need to walk in and feel like they’re stepping into a showroom, not someone else’s personal space.

4. Dirty Windows and Sills

This is one of the most overlooked issues I see, and it can instantly downgrade a buyer’s perception of a home. Clean windows make a home feel bright, open, and well-maintained. Dirty windows? They make buyers question how well the home has been cared for.

Remember: Buyers notice everything.

5. Repurposed Bedrooms

I get it—home offices and themed kids’ rooms are popular. But if you’ve made structural changes (like turning a bedroom into a built-in office or a pirate ship playroom), you might be limiting your buyer pool.

Buyers need to envision a room’s potential. If they walk into a bedroom that requires extensive work to turn it back into a bedroom, they might move on to another home that doesn’t require the hassle.

6. A Garage That’s No Longer a Garage

Buyers expect a garage to be, well, a garage. If they walk in and find it has been converted into a gym, extra bedroom, or storage overflow, many will be disappointed. For most buyers, a garage is valuable space for parking, tools, and storage—taking that away can hurt your sale.

If you’ve made changes, consider returning the space to its original purpose before listing.

7. Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs—A Double-Edged Sword

Pools and hot tubs can be a huge selling point or a massive deterrent. Some buyers love them; others see them as a liability and a maintenance headache.

If you have an above-ground pool, you may want to consider removing it before listing. If you have an in-ground pool, make sure it’s immaculate—clean, maintained, and visually appealing.

The Bottom Line

The housing market is more competitive than ever. To sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you must go the extra mile. I’ve helped countless sellers maximize their home’s value by focusing on these key pre-market improvements—and I can help you do the same.

The small things matter. A little effort can translate into thousands of extra dollars in your pocket.

Thinking about selling? Let’s talk. I’ll walk you through exactly what you need to do to get the most money for your home.

📩 Contact me at miguel@zoldly.com or schedule a call today.

— Miguel Dominguez, RCS-D | Real Estate Broker | 29 Years of Experience