10 Things to Do Before You Sell Your House

Hint: Renting Might Be Smarter Than You Think

Thinking about selling your house? Wait! Before you slap that "For Sale" sign on the lawn and cue the dramatic farewell playlist, there are a few smart moves you should make. In fact, ten of them. And one might just change your entire plan. Yes, renting instead of selling could be your real estate plot twist.

Let’s walk through the must-do checklist that helps you sell smarter or rent richer.

1. Declutter Like You're About to Be on a Netflix Show

Buyers want to see a house, not your five-year sock collection or the blender graveyard. Clear out the clutter. Think less "lived-in," more "ready to be lived in."

Pro tip: Rent a storage unit. Your house will look spacious, and you won't accidentally donate your childhood photo albums in a decluttering frenzy.

2. Fix the Stuff You’ve Been Ignoring Since 2017

That dripping faucet you stopped hearing? The crack in the ceiling that you swear hasn’t grown (but totally has)? Buyers notice everything.

Patch, repair, paint, and repeat.

Stat check: According to HomeLight, minor repairs can boost your home’s value by 2.5% on average. Small fixes, big gains.

3. Stage It Like It’s Broadway

You’re not just selling a home. You’re selling the dream. A well-staged house helps buyers imagine Sunday pancakes in the kitchen and cozy movie nights in the living room.

Even if your style leans more "laundry pile chic," consider bringing in a pro stager, or at least Google a few Pinterest tricks.

4. Snap Photos That Actually Make People Want to Live There

No dark, blurry shots, please. The Internet is where home shopping begins. Bright, well-lit photos sell homes 32% faster, according to Redfin.

Pro photography = more clicks = more people lining up to check out your place. Simple math.

5. Research Your Local Housing Market (Yes, You Have Homework)

How much are homes selling for in your area? How long are they sitting on the market? Is it a seller’s paradise or a buyer’s playground?

Understanding the market means you can price your home smartly and avoid the crickets when your asking price is wishful thinking.

6. Get a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

Skip the surprise twist later. A pre-listing inspection lets you fix issues before a buyer uses them to haggle.

Fun fact: 86% of buyers get an inspection before closing. Beat them to it and show your house some preventative TLC.

7. Rent It Instead (Yep, We're Serious)

Still unsure about selling? Renting might just be your home’s side hustle.

Whether the market’s soft or you're just emotionally attached to the kitchen tiles you hand-laid yourself, renting gives you flexibility and passive income.

Property managers can step in here to handle tenant screening, rent collection, and those late-night "the dishwasher is leaking" calls you don’t want to deal with. With their help, you can keep your assets while someone else pays down your mortgage.

8. Deep Clean Like It’s a Clean-Off Competition

This is not your average weekend tidy-up. We’re talking baseboards, behind appliances, and yes, even the top of the fridge. (You know it's gross.)

A sparkling clean home signals care. It also smells less like mystery casserole and more like "buy me."

9. Boost Your Curb Appeal: First Impressions Count

The outside is the trailer for the movie that is your house. Paint the front door. Plant flowers. Sweep up the leaves. Add a pop of color that says “welcome,” not “run.”

Data break: Homes with high curb appeal sell for 7% more on average. Source: Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics.

10. Talk to a Real Estate Pro (and Maybe a Property Manager, Too)

Yes, real estate agents can help price, list, and market your home, but if you’re even remotely considering renting, you’ll want to talk to a property manager, too.

At Concept 360, we’ll give you the lowdown on rental rates, tenant demand, and how hands-off you can be (spoiler: very). Many homeowners pivot to renting once they see the potential.

Bonus mention: If you decide to turn your house into a long-term income stream, we are your backstage crew. We keep things running while you take a bow.

So, Sell or Rent?

Selling your house is a big deal. But before you dive into open houses and lowball offers, take a pause. Rent it? Fix it? List it later?

Whatever you do, do it on purpose.

Use these 10 steps to weigh your options and walk into your next chapter with clarity (and hopefully, cash).