Getting Your Home Market-Ready: A Seller's Playbook for Des Moines

Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. The preparation you do before that sign goes in the yard will determine both your sale price and how quickly you close.

I've helped hundreds of Des Moines, IA homeowners sell their properties — from charming Craftsman bungalows in Beaverdale, newer builds in Ankeny and West Des Moines and beautiful acreages. And in every single transaction, the sellers who did their homework before listing consistently walked away with more money in their pockets.

Here's what I recommend to every client who calls me before putting their home on the market.

Start with a Honest Walk-Through

Before you do anything else, walk through your home the way a buyer would — with fresh, critical eyes. Better yet, a great Realtor will do it with you. You've lived in this space for years; you're likely blind to the cracked caulk around the tub, dirty light switches and air return vents or the basement that smells a little musty in spring. Buyers won't be.

Local note

Des Moines buyers are savvy. With inventory still relatively tight across the metro — especially in the $250K–$400K range — homes that show well receive multiple offers quickly. Homes that don't get picked over.

The Pre-Listing To-Do List

Declutter and depersonalize

Buyers need to imagine themselves in your home, not feel like guests in yours. Pack away excessive photos, personal collections, and anything that makes a room feel crowded. A good rule: if you're not using it weekly, box it up. You'll need to pack eventually anyway!

Deep clean — everywhere

Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, or kill deals. Every surface should sparkle: grout lines, baseboards, the inside of appliances, light switch plates and ceiling fans. Consider hiring a professional cleaning crew before your listing photos are taken. It's worth every penny, ask for our recommended list of professionals.

Address deferred maintenance

• Repair any leaking faucets, running toilets, or dripping or loose shower heads

• Replace burnt-out bulbs, fix any flickering fixtures and clean them all

• Patch nail holes and touch up paint — neutral tones read well on camera, you may love the colors in your home, but your best chance to a high price and a swift sale means appealing to the masses

• Check that all doors, windows, and locks open and close smoothly

• Have your HVAC serviced and keep the receipt — buyers love documentation

• Address any known issues before listing, not during inspection

  
  

Boost your curb appeal

In Iowa, timing matters here. If you're listing in spring or summer, fresh mulch, trimmed hedges, and a mowed lawn make an enormous difference. Power wash the driveway and front walk. A new or freshly painted front door or freshly painted trim can add perceived value beyond the cost.

Pricing it right from the start

Overpricing is the single most expensive mistake sellers make. A home that sits on the market raises red flags — buyers start wondering what's wrong with it. In a market like Des Moines, where data is transparent and buyers are informed, pricing to the market from day one almost always yields better results than chasing the market down after a price reduction.

Staging: Worth the Investment

Professional staging isn't just for luxury properties. Even modest staging — rearranging furniture, adding a few fresh accessories, clearing countertops — can make your home photograph beautifully and feel more spacious. Studies consistently show staged homes sell faster and for more. I often bring in a stager before photos are shot and the difference is striking.

Professional Photography Is Non-Negotiable

Over 90% of buyers begin their search online. Your listing photos are your first showing. Blurry, dark, or poorly composed photos will cost you showings. I always invest in professional photography for my listings — it's not optional. First impressions in real estate are formed before buyers even step inside. Most if not all buyers start their search online, the first impression those photos make is just like a dating app, one swipe and they may never take a second look!

Get our Listing Prep Guide, Text: LISTING PREP to (515) 360-8068

DESIGNATIONS: 

MRP (Military Relocation Professional)

RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert)

SFR (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource)

SRS (Seller Representative Specialist) 

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RE/MAX HALL OF FAME - 2024

RE/MAX Platinum Club Award - 2025

RE/MAX 100% Club Award - 2017 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024

RE/MAX Executive Club Award - 2018

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6600 University Ave Windsor Heights, IA 50324

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Agent License ID: S63822 | NRDS: 82836372