Gina von Sturmer knows how stressful selling can be. As the head of a pre-sale concierge service at Professionals Real Estate, she works with sellers who are short on time, overwhelmed by the process, or simply unsure where to start. Her job? To take the pressure off, and get homes looking their best before they hit the market.

These are her top tips for preparing your home in a way that’s efficient, effective, and appealing to buyers.

Start with a list

Don’t rely on memory. Write down everything you need to do, what you want to do, and when it needs to be done by. Breaking it into stages makes the process more manageable, especially if you’re juggling work or family at the same time.

It also helps prevent scope creep. If it’s not on the list, don’t get distracted by it. Focus on the things that matter most to buyers.

Declutter hard

This is the one thing almost every seller underestimates. Clutter makes a space feel smaller, busier, and harder to imagine living in. Clear surfaces. Thin out furniture. Remove most personal items and anything overly taste-specific.

Storage matters too, buyers will open cupboards. If they’re jammed full, it sends the wrong message. Make everything feel clean, open, and ready to move into.

Prioritise first impressions

Buyers often make up their minds before they walk in the door. That means your letterbox, front steps, entryway, and landscaping matter more than you think.

It’s not about spending big, it’s about small upgrades that show the property’s been looked after. A tidy path, a clean porch light, and a freshly painted front door all send the right signals.

Neutralise strong styling

What looks good to you might not appeal to anyone else. Bright colours, bold prints, or dated finishes can make the whole home feel harder to work with. A simple coat of white paint and restrained styling helps buyers see the bones of the property, not the distractions on the surface.

Get a second opinion

You’re too close to it. Walkthroughs with friends or agents can reveal issues you’ve stopped noticing. Even small details, like tired curtains or an awkward furniture layout, can be enough to throw a buyer off.

Want to know more?

Our Quick Guide: Getting Your Home Ready for Sale breaks it all down, what to fix, what to skip, and how to get buyers to see the value in your home. Join MyTrends to unlock this and a full library of guides designed to support you at each stage of your property journey.