Just as the brisk air you feel in the morning signals the shift from summer to fall, the number of homes for sale signals a shift in the real estate market too. But there is not nearly as much of a cool-off as you may think for home sales in southwest Montana. We are seeing homes selling in a measurement of weeks instead of hours, which is a welcome change. Home prices are not escalating at the same rate as they were earlier in 2022, but they are holding strong in many price ranges. If you’re a “numbers nerd” or if you want specifics on your property, make sure you reach out to an ERA Landmark team member. Housing data aside, we’re here with our top tips to prepare your home for sale.

Pack Your Bags

You don’t need to move out before the For Sale sign is in the yard, but you should start the decluttering process the moment you decide to list your home, even if it isn't on the market yet. "Take down personal items and start getting rid of items you can live without,” says Brian Tudor. “You're moving anyway, might as well get a head start on the process."

Make it Sparkle

Sparkling, Carissa Paulson works with her sellers to replace light bulbs with the brightest available and turns them for photographs and showings to fill the space with warm light. In a figurative sense, a “sparkling” clean home not only creates a welcome space but removes any obstacles a buyer might view between you and their moving truck. "Pet-lovers are challenged with eliminating the evidence of Fido," says Ray Atteberry, "I recommend getting carpets professionally cleaned to make the home showing experience easy." 

Set the Stage

When you put your house on the market, it becomes a product that’s for sale. Through home staging, you can create an attractive, organized space that will make a great first impression and help potential buyers visualize themselves living there.  Debbie McEachron says, "Consider the difference between personal decorations and staging. Not everyone will have the same taste in furniture and decorations as you. It's best to neutralize the look." The ERA Landmark Staging Guide will walk you through the DIY steps with ease.

When you're ready to start the home selling discussion with a market professional, turn to one of our ERA Landmark experts in Bozeman, Big Sky, Livingston, or Ennis today.