There are several reasons people sell their homes. Some homeowners may be ready to downsize because adult children have left home, while others may need more space to accommodate their growing family. Homeowners may also need to relocate for a work transfer or career opportunity or may need to sell to liquidate their assets during a divorce.

Ideally, you won’t have to wait long to find a buyer for your property once you list it, and you’ll receive a fair offer for your home. Although market conditions can impact the amount of time it takes to sell and the sale price, there are some practical things you can do to expedite the sale and profit from the sale. Use these four tips to prepare to sell your home.

1. Work with a professional real estate agent.

Find a real estate agent with years of experience selling homes, such as John Foresi, Venterra CEO, or one of the other real estate professionals with Venterra Realty. Venterra Realty strives to provide high levels of employee and customer satisfaction, which means it’s unlikely you’ll have to worry about your realtor leaving the company once you’ve listed your home. Your realtor will evaluate your home and determine a reasonable list price for the property. Your real estate agent distributes photographs, video footage, and property data with the listing. A professional realtor providing exceptional service will confirm all the property information to ensure it’s accurate and schedule open houses and showings to find a buyer for your property.

2. Have experts perform crucial repairs on your property.

Whether you live in Tucson, AZ, or New York, NY, your home may need some repairs before you list the property. For example, if your garage door opener doesn’t work, you should Google “garage door service in Tucson, AZ” to find a garage door technician who can inspect and repair your door. Broken springs, cables, and rollers can prevent your garage door from opening correctly. You may need to have a technician install a new door if the door’s been bent or damaged.

You should also ensure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system works correctly. Potential buyers will notice if your home is too warm or cold. An outdated or malfunctioning HVAC system can deter buyers or prompt them to offer less money if they’re interested in buying your house.

You should also check your roof to ensure it’s in good condition and replace missing or damaged shingles.

3. Invest in your home’s curb appeal and update critical rooms.

Your home’s curb appeal can attract potential buyers. Trim bushes and trees. Provide a level walkway to your front door. If you own an older home, you may want to install a new door or paint your door to increase its visual appeal. Installing a new door and planting flower beds near your home can add color, which can appeal to buyers. You should also ensure the mailbox is in good shape, repaint or replace old siding, and keep your grass cut.

Key rooms can also help you sell your home. Buyers tend to pay attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. You can update your kitchen by installing stainless steel appliances and painting the cabinets. Replacing old countertops, sinks, faucets, and hardware can also add visual appeal.

You can transform your bathroom with a new bathtub and tile surround. Installing new sinks, cabinets, and faucets can also update your bathrooms.

4. Declutter and depersonalize your home.

Your home will appear smaller if it’s filled with belongings. One way to open up space is to pack some of your belongings and put them in storage. You’ll need to pack your property before you move anyway, but taking this step before you list your house will improve the quality of the photographs of your property.

Personalized decor may deter potential buyers from making an offer. It would help if you repainted key rooms with neutral colors. It’s easier for buyers to visualize the house as their home if the paint doesn’t clash with their belongings. Remove highly personal items when you declutter. For example, if you collect horror posters, you could potentially lose a sale if someone who doesn’t like the genre sees the posters.

Working with a real estate professional, performing essential repairs, increasing your home’s curb appeal, and updating key rooms will ensure your home’s ready to go on the market. It also helps to take time to declutter and depersonalize your home before you list the property. Taking these steps can help expedite the sale process and increase the sale price of your home.