If I Were Selling My Home in 2026, This Is What I’d Do to Get the Most Money
If I were to be selling my home in 2026, this is what I’d do to get the most money — and it might surprise you.
It’s not about trendy finishes, expensive renovations, or perfectly staged showhomes.
It’s about strategy, mindset, and preparation.
The sellers who win in today’s shifting market are the ones who understand this one key truth early on:
Your house is no longer your home — it’s a product.
And once you start treating it that way, everything changes.
Below is exactly how I’d prepare a home to attract buyers, photograph beautifully, and sell for top dollar in 2026.
1. Shift the Mindset: From “My Home” to “Market-Ready Product”
One of the hardest (and most important) steps in selling a home is emotional.
Buyers don’t want to buy your memories — they want to imagine their future.
That means decisions should no longer be based on:
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How you live in the space
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What you personally love
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What feels comfortable to you
Instead, every choice should answer this question:
What will appeal to the widest range of buyers?
This mindset alone can dramatically impact sale price and time on market.
2. Declutter and Pre-Pack Early (The Ultimate Win-Win)
Decluttering is hands-down one of the highest ROI steps you can take.
If I were selling, I’d start decluttering and pre-packing weeks (or months) in advance.
Why this works:
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Closets and cabinets appear larger
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Rooms feel more open and calm
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Buyers see storage potential, not overflow
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You’re already preparing for your move
Pack away:
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Out-of-season clothing
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Excess kitchen items
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Personal collections
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Extra linens, decor, and paperwork
Less stuff = more perceived space.
And space sells.
3. Remove Personal Items and Bold Decor
Family photos, kids’ artwork, bold statement pieces, and highly personalized decor can unintentionally turn buyers off.
Not because they’re “bad” — but because they’re too specific.
To appeal to the widest audience:
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Remove personal photos
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Minimize kids’ artwork and memorabilia
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Edit out bold or polarizing decor
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Simplify shelves and surfaces
Buyers need visual breathing room to imagine their own life in the home.
4. Opt for Style-Neutral Decor Over Bold Statements
This is where staging strategy really matters.
If I were selling, I’d swap:
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Bold colours
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Statement art
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Highly stylized pieces
For:
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Soft, neutral tones
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Timeless textures
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Clean, calm styling
Style-neutral doesn’t mean boring.
It means universally appealing.
Neutral spaces photograph better, feel brighter, and allow buyers to mentally move in.
5. Refresh with a Clean, Neutral Coat of Paint
Few things make a home feel fresher faster than paint.
A light, neutral colour:
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Brightens the space
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Covers wear and tear
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Makes rooms feel larger
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Appeals to more buyers
Think soft whites, warm greiges, or light neutrals that reflect light well — especially for listing photos.
This is one of the simplest upgrades with one of the biggest visual payoffs.
6. Arrange Furniture to Highlight the Home’s Features
Furniture placement should showcase the home — not how you watch TV.
When staging, I focus on:
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Highlighting windows and natural light
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Drawing attention to fireplaces
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Creating clear walking paths
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Showing how rooms are meant to function
A strong layout makes rooms feel larger, more intentional, and easier to understand — especially online.
7. Take Care of the “Behind-the-Scenes” Details
Buyers may not always see it, but they feel it.
If I were selling, I’d:
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Get the furnace serviced
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Have the ducts professionally cleaned
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Replace filters and address maintenance issues
A home that feels clean, fresh, and well maintained builds buyer confidence — and reduces objections during inspection.
8. Do a True Deep Clean (Details Matter)
This is not a surface clean.
I’m talking about:
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Baseboards
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Light fixtures
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Switch plates
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Door frames
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Grout and tile lines
These small details elevate the entire home and subconsciously signal that it’s been cared for.
9. Add Plants to Every Room
Plants bring life into a space — especially in photos.
Even simple greenery:
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Softens a room
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Adds warmth
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Makes photos feel inviting and lived-in (in a good way)
They’re one of my favourite low-cost, high-impact staging tools.
10. Treat Listing Photos Like the Open House
In 2026, your first showing isn’t the open house — it’s online.
Photos are where buyers:
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Decide if they’ll book a showing
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Fall in love (or scroll past)
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Compare your home to others
If I were selling, I’d prep for photos exactly like an open house — maybe even more.
Because you only get one first impression.
11. Price Strategically with the Right Realtor
Preparation and pricing go hand in hand.
A well-prepped home deserves a smart pricing strategy, guided by a knowledgeable realtor who understands the market.
Pricing competitively upfront:
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Creates stronger interest
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Reduces time on market
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Helps avoid price reductions later
And yes — I know some truly top-notch realtors who understand how preparation and pricing work together 😉
Final Thoughts: Preparation Pays Off
Selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming.
With the right mindset, thoughtful decluttering, strategic staging, and proper prep, you can:
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Stand out online
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Attract better buyers
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Protect your sale price
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Move on with confidence
This is exactly how I help sellers prepare their homes — calmly, strategically, and with intention.
If you’re thinking about selling in 2026 and want help knowing where to start, I’d love to support you.
Your home deserves to shine.
