Prepping Your Home For Sale | Realtor In Your Pocket Podcast

Preparing your home for sale is one of the most important steps in maximizing your price, and most sellers start too late.

In this episode of Realtor In Your Pocket, Nick Fundytus is joined by Chelsea Angus and Karim Ali to break down exactly how to prepare your home for sale before listing. From where to spend (and not spend) your money, to the truth about staging, paint colours, lighting, and keeping your home show-ready while still living in it.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why the best home sales start months before listing
• Where to spend money when preparing your home for sale
• What renovations actually add value (and what don’t)
• The truth about staging and presentation
• How to brighten and modernize your home affordably
• When to tag in a REALTOR®
• How to stay show-ready without disrupting your life

Realtor In Your Pocket covers all things Ottawa Real Estate. If you’re buying, selling, or just planning your next move, tune in for expert insights you can keep in your back pocket.

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Key Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale

1. Start Earlier Than You Think

The homes that sell for the highest prices don’t start preparing the week they list. The most successful sales begin months in advance. Waiting too long creates stress, rushed decisions, and unnecessary spending. If you’re thinking about selling in the spring market, preparation should start now.

2. Call a REALTOR® Before You Do Anything

Many sellers begin fixing or renovating before speaking to a professional. This often leads to overspending on projects that don’t increase value. A REALTOR® should see your home in its original condition to properly guide where to invest your time and money — and where not to.

3. Focus on Brightness and Neutral Colours

If you’re making cosmetic updates, prioritize lighter paint colours like white or soft beige. Bright, neutral spaces feel larger and more modern. Adding proper lighting throughout the home also makes a significant impact on buyer perception.

4. Spend Strategically — Not Emotionally

The goal is simple: make your home look better without spending more than necessary. Not every upgrade adds value. Smart preparation is about efficiency and return on investment, not perfection.

5. Understand What Actually Adds Value

Before starting renovations, evaluate improvements through a buyer’s lens. Some updates increase perceived value, while others are simply personal preferences. Focus on projects that improve marketability and buyer appeal.

6. Staging Is About Presentation

Staging helps buyers visualize themselves in the space. It highlights layout, flow, and functionality. The goal isn’t to decorate — it’s to make the home feel clean, organized, and move-in ready.

7. Plan for Show-Ready Living

Selling while living in your home requires preparation. Declutter early, pack strategically, and create systems to keep the home consistently presentable. A smoother showing experience often leads to stronger offers.

8. Engage Professionals Early

Working with painters, stagers, inspectors, and trades ahead of time gives you flexibility and control. Early planning helps avoid rush pricing and allows improvements to be completed properly and efficiently.