Maximizing Your Home’s Value Before Listing In 90 Days

Maximizing your home’s value before listing in 90 days is completely possible when you have a clear, simple plan to follow. With the right mix of repairs, curb appeal upgrades, smart staging, and professional photos, you can attract more buyers and earn a stronger offer without overspending.​

Month One: Repair And Refresh

During the first 30 days, focus on basic repairs and easy cosmetic updates. Start with a full walkthrough and make a list of anything broken, worn, or outdated. Then tackle high-impact fixes such as patching walls, repairing leaky faucets, tightening hardware, and replacing burnt-out bulbs.​

Next, add fresh paint in light neutral colors. This step instantly brightens rooms and makes them feel larger and move in ready, which buyers love. You can also consider low-cost flooring touchups or deep cleaning carpets so every space feels clean and cared for.​

Budget tiers for month one

• Low budget: Deep cleaning, minor repairs, DIY paint touchups.
• Medium budget: Full interior repaint, carpet cleaning, updated light fixtures.
• Higher budget: New flooring in key areas like living room or primary bedroom.

Month Two: Boost Curb Appeal

In the second month, shift focus outside. Curb appeal can change a buyer’s first impression in seconds and can even raise perceived value by thousands of dollars when done well. Begin with basic yard care such as mowing, edging, pulling weeds, trimming shrubs, and adding fresh mulch. Even simple landscaping cleanups often deliver a strong return on investment.​

After that, consider painting or cleaning the front door, updating house numbers, and checking exterior lighting so the entrance looks warm and inviting. If your budget allows, add seasonal flowers or potted plants near the entry and repair any cracked pathways or loose railings for both safety and style.​

Budget tiers for month two

• Low budget: Lawn care, pruning, mulch, power wash walkway.
• Medium budget: New front door paint, modern house numbers, updated porch lights.
• Higher budget: Partial exterior repaint or new front landscaping design.

Month Three: Stage, Photograph, And Shine Online

The final 30 days are all about presentation. First, declutter every room and remove extra furniture to create open, airy spaces that help buyers imagine their own belongings. Then stage with simple touches like neutral bedding, a few tasteful accessories, and balanced lighting. Focus on key rooms that matter most such as the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom.​

Next, schedule professional real estate photography. Listings with professional photos receive significantly more online views, sell faster, and often close for higher prices compared with listings that use basic cell phone shots. High quality images make your home stand out in search results and create an emotional connection before buyers even step through the door.​

Budget tiers for month three

• Low budget: DIY staging using items you already own, basic decluttering, one hour with a photographer.
• Medium budget: Partial staging with rented pieces in main rooms, full professional photo package.
• Higher budget: Whole home staging, drone photos, video tour, and twilight photography.

Simple 90 Day Checklist

To maximize your home’s value before listing in 90 days, use this quick checklist:

• Walk through and list all repairs and cosmetic updates.
• Complete minor repairs and repaint key rooms in light neutrals.
• Deep clean interior and refresh flooring.
• Improve yard care, mulch, and trim landscaping.
• Repaint or clean the front door and upgrade entry details.
• Declutter and stage main living areas and bedrooms.
• Hire a professional real estate photographer and finalize marketing.