What Should I Fix or Update Before Listing My Home?
By Jeff and Lane Morrell · October 2026
The Morrell Group | eXp Realty
Deep clean, declutter, fix small visible issues, and put fresh neutral paint in the main living areas. Skip the big kitchen remodel and full landscaping redesigns, which rarely return their cost. With buyers comparing homes online first, presentation is what earns the showing, and the showing is what earns the offer.
High-impact, low-cost moves
Our prepping guide (July 2026) lists the winners: declutter closets, cabinets, basements, and garages; fresh mulch, trimmed bushes, and a clean entryway for curb appeal in a city with 300+ days of sunshine; neutral paint in main living areas; patched holes; and professionally cleaned or replaced carpet.
Professional photography matters because 96% of buyers start their search online, and we cover photography on every home we list.
What to skip
Ripping out a functional kitchen, adding new trees or retaining walls, and full garden redesigns are projects buyers will redo their way anyway. Focus on making what is already there look its best.
Condition sells in any market
In a fall 2026 market where buyers have choices, a tidy, light, well-maintained home stands out against 4,000-plus homes listed citywide (our October market post). The easier you make it to show, the more offers you receive.
You do not need to renovate to sell. You need to remove friction: the clutter, the dated paint, the worn carpet, the awkward staging. We walk through your home with you and give you the honest short list, the things that pay off and the things to leave alone.
Here when you're ready, Jeff & Lane Morrell
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