Selling a home involves much more than choosing a real estate agent and putting the property online. Before professional photos are taken and buyers walk through the door, your home should look clean, well-maintained, spacious and ready to make a strong first impression.

The good news is that preparing your property for sale doesn’t always mean spending thousands of dollars on renovations. Small improvements such as decluttering, cleaning, completing visible repairs, improving presentation and preparing outdoor areas can make the property feel more inviting.

This guide provides a practical, step-by-step checklist to prepare your home for sale in Perth, from the initial property assessment through to photography and the final pre-listing walkthrough.

Before spending money on improvements, walk through your property as though you were seeing it for the first time.

What Should You Look For?

Ask yourself:

• What would a buyer notice first?
• Which areas look dated or tired?
• Are there unfinished repairs?
• Is there too much furniture?
• Does each room feel clean, bright and spacious?
• Are there areas that need professional attention?

Try the Buyer Walk-Through Test

Walk from the front entrance through every major area of the property.

Make a note of:

• Visible damage
• Clutter
• Poor lighting
• Strong smells
• Untidy gardens
• Worn furniture
• Personal belongings
• Areas that feel cramped

This gives you a clear starting point before spending money on preparation.

2. Declutter Every Room

Decluttering is one of the simplest ways to prepare a Perth home for sale while making it feel larger, cleaner and more appealing.

Buyers need to see the space itself rather than being distracted by too many belongings.

What Should You Remove?

• Excess furniture
• Unnecessary decorations
• Children’s toys
• Items from kitchen benchtops
• Bathroom products
• Excess clothing
• Personal collections
• Hallway clutter

Don’t forget garages, cupboards and wardrobes. Buyers often look inside storage spaces, so they should feel organised rather than overcrowded.

How Much Should You Declutter Before Selling?

You don’t need to make your home completely empty.

The goal is to reduce visual clutter while keeping enough furniture and décor to show buyers how each room can be used.

3. Deep Clean Your Perth Home Before Listing

A clean home can create a much stronger first impression than a property that looks neglected.

Before listing, clean the areas that may normally be overlooked.

Pre-Listing Cleaning Checklist

• Windows and glass doors
• Floors and carpets
• Kitchen appliances
• Oven
• Kitchen cupboards
• Bathrooms
• Shower screens
• Grout
• Walls
• Skirting boards
• Ceiling fans
• Light fittings
• Outdoor areas

Should You Hire Professional Cleaners?

Professional cleaning can be worthwhile if the property requires extensive cleaning or you don’t have enough time to complete everything yourself.

A thorough clean before photography and inspections can help the property look fresher and better maintained.

4. Complete Small Repairs Before Listing Your Perth Home

Small defects can make buyers wonder what other maintenance issues may be hiding.

Before listing, walk through the property and deal with obvious problems such as:

• Leaking taps
• Broken handles
• Damaged walls
• Loose cupboard doors
• Cracked tiles
• Burnt-out light bulbs
• Squeaky doors
• Peeling paint
• Broken blinds
• Untidy garden areas

The aim isn’t to repair every minor imperfection. Focus on visible issues that could negatively affect a buyer’s perception of the property.

5. Decide: Repair, Renovate or Leave It?

Not every part of your home needs to be renovated before selling.

A simple way to decide what deserves your attention is to divide improvements into four categories.

Fix It

Fix problems that are noticeable and relatively inexpensive to resolve.

Update It

Make small improvements when they can noticeably improve the property’s appearance.

Renovate It

Consider larger renovations only when the potential benefit justifies the cost, time and disruption.

Leave It

If an improvement is expensive and unlikely to significantly influence buyers, it may make more sense to leave it as it is.

What Should You NOT Renovate Before Selling?

Avoid assuming that every dated feature requires a complete renovation.

Major renovations can quickly become expensive, and there is no guarantee you will recover the full cost when the property sells.

6. Refresh Paint and Walls Before Selling

Fresh-looking walls can make a home feel cleaner and better maintained.

Look for:

• Scuffed walls
• Marks and stains
• Peeling paint
• Damaged surfaces
• Dated feature walls

In many cases, simple touch-ups may be enough.

If the existing colours are very bold or highly personalised, consider whether more neutral tones would make the property easier for buyers to visualise as their own.

Should You Repaint Your Perth Home Before Selling?

If you’re preparing your home for sale in Perth, repainting can be worthwhile when the existing paint is visibly worn, damaged or highly dated.

If the walls are already in good condition, however, you may only need a few targeted touch-ups.

7. Improve Lighting and Make Rooms Feel Larger

Good lighting can significantly change how a room feels.

Before listing:

• Replace broken or outdated light bulbs
• Keep lighting consistent
• Open curtains and blinds
• Clean windows
• Remove bulky furniture
• Improve furniture flow
• Use mirrors where appropriate

The objective is to make rooms feel bright, comfortable and spacious.

How Can You Make a Small Room Look Bigger?

Start with the basics:

• Remove unnecessary furniture
• Keep walkways clear
• Use lighter décor
• Maximise natural light
• Avoid overcrowding shelves and surfaces
• Use appropriately sized furniture

8. Prepare Your Kitchen for Sale

The kitchen is one of the areas buyers are likely to pay close attention to.

When you prepare your home for sale in Perth, you don’t always need an expensive kitchen renovation to improve its presentation.

Kitchen Pre-Listing Checklist

• Clear kitchen benchtops
• Clean appliances
• Clean cupboards
• Organise pantry areas
• Remove unnecessary items from the fridge
• Replace damaged handles
• Improve lighting
• Remove excessive countertop appliances
• Add simple styling touches

Which Kitchen Upgrades Are Worth Doing Before Selling?

Focus on improvements that make the kitchen look:

• Clean
• Functional
• Well maintained
• Visually appealing

Avoid spending heavily on upgrades unless there is a clear reason to do so.

9. Prepare Your Bathrooms for Sale

Bathrooms should feel clean, fresh and well maintained.

Pay attention to:

• Grout
• Mirrors
• Shower screens
• Taps and fixtures
• Towels
• Storage
• Countertops
• Bathroom cabinets
• General clutter

A few simple styling touches, such as fresh towels and minimal décor, can make the space feel more inviting.

Do You Need to Renovate Your Bathroom Before Selling?

Not necessarily.

If the bathroom is functional and reasonably modern, deep cleaning, minor repairs and simple styling may deliver a better return than a complete renovation.

10. Prepare Your Bedrooms for Sale

Bedrooms should feel calm, comfortable and spacious.

Pay particular attention to the master bedroom.

Bedroom Preparation Checklist

• Use neutral bedding
• Remove excess furniture
• Clear bedside tables
• Organise wardrobes
• Improve lighting
• Remove unnecessary décor
• Keep floors and surfaces clear

Aim for a comfortable, hotel-like feeling without making the room look overly staged.

How Should You Style a Master Bedroom for Sale?

Keep the styling simple. A well-made bed, limited décor, suitable lighting and clear surfaces can help buyers imagine the room as their own.

11. Prepare Your Perth Home’s Garden and Outdoor Areas for Sale

Outdoor presentation is particularly important when selling a Perth property.

Buyers want to understand how they could use outdoor areas for entertaining, relaxing and everyday living.

Outdoor Areas to Prepare

• Lawns
• Garden beds
• Paths
• Patios
• Alfresco areas
• Outdoor furniture
• Pool areas
• Driveways
• Front entrances

Outdoor Pre-Listing Checklist

• Mow the lawn
• Trim overgrown plants
• Remove weeds
• Prune trees and shrubs
• Clean patios
• Clean outdoor furniture
• Tidy pool areas
• Clean the driveway
• Remove outdoor clutter

12. Improve Your Home’s Street Appeal Before Listing

The first impression starts before buyers even walk through the front door.

Your entrance should look clean, maintained and welcoming.

Street Appeal Checklist

• ☐ Clean the front door
• ☐ Make house numbers visible
• ☐ Maintain the garden
• ☐ Clean the driveway
• ☐ Tidy the entryway
• ☐ Check outdoor lights
• ☐ Keep the letterbox presentable

Small improvements to the front of the property can make a noticeable difference to the overall presentation.

13. Declutter and Depersonalise

Decluttering and depersonalising are slightly different.

Decluttering removes unnecessary items, while depersonalising reduces elements that make the home feel strongly connected to the current owner.

What Should You Depersonalise?

Consider reducing:

• Family photos
• Personal collections
• Strong artwork
• Excessive ornaments
• Highly distinctive décor
• Other visually dominant personal items

Why Should You Depersonalise Your Home Before Selling?

The goal isn’t to make your home boring.

Instead, you want buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in the property.

Keep some warmth and personality, but avoid allowing personal belongings to dominate the space.

14. Decide Whether You Need Professional Home Staging

Once the property is clean, decluttered and repaired, consider whether it needs professional staging.

DIY Staging May Work When:

• The home is already well presented
• Your furniture suits the property
• The property is occupied
• Your existing décor is relatively neutral
• You feel confident styling the rooms yourself

Professional Staging May Be Useful When:

• The property is vacant
• Existing furniture is dated
• Rooms feel empty
• The layout is difficult to understand
• You want stronger property photography
• The home needs a more polished presentation

Is Professional Home Staging Worth It Before Listing?

The answer depends on the property, its condition, target buyers and marketing strategy.

Professional House  staging  perth can help create a cohesive presentation and show buyers how rooms can be used.

Before making a decision, sellers can also consider the potential cost and return of professional staging.

15. Prepare Your Home for Professional Photography

When you prepare your home for sale in Perth, it needs to look its best not only in person but also in online listing photos.

Before Photography

• Remove unnecessary clutter
• Hide bins
• Hide visible cables
• Open blinds and curtains
• Clean windows
• Style beds
• Clear kitchen benches
• Tidy outdoor areas
• Remove unnecessary vehicles where appropriate
• Turn on suitable lights

What Should You Do the Day Before Property Photography?

Complete your final cleaning, styling and decluttering the day before.

On the morning of photography, focus on small presentation details rather than starting major cleaning or repairs.

16. Prepare Your Home for the Online Listing

Once the property itself is ready, make sure the marketing materials are ready too.

What Should Your Listing Include?

• Professional photography
• Floor plans
• Property description
• Key property features
• Suburb information
• Agent information
• Listing platforms
• Open-home schedule

What Should Be Ready Before Your Property Goes Online?

Ideally, the property should be completely prepared before the listing goes live.

This avoids rushing to fix presentation issues after buyers have already seen the property online.

17. Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

Choosing the right agent is another important part of pre-listing preparation.

Questions to Ask Your Agent

• What marketing will you provide?
• Do you recommend professional staging?
• What photography is included?
• What advertising will be used?
• How will you communicate with me?
• How will open homes be managed?
• What is your strategy for attracting buyers?

Don’t choose an agent based solely on the highest suggested selling price. Consider their marketing strategy, communication and knowledge of the local market as well.

18. Your Final 48-Hour Pre-Listing Checklist

Once the major preparation is complete, use this final checklist.

48 Hours Before

• ☐ Deep clean the property
• ☐ Complete remaining repairs
• ☐ Remove unnecessary clutter
• ☐ Tidy the garden
• ☐ Clean outdoor areas

24 Hours Before

• ☐ Style the rooms
• ☐ Clean windows
• ☐ Hide personal items
• ☐ Prepare outdoor areas
• ☐ Organise wardrobes
• ☐ Check lighting

On Photography or Listing Day

• ☐ Open blinds and curtains
• ☐ Turn on appropriate lights
• ☐ Remove bins
• ☐ Hide pet items
• ☐ Make beds
• ☐ Clear countertops
• ☐ Tidy entryways
• ☐ Complete a final walkthrough

19. The Ultimate Pre-Listing Checklist

Use this as your final master checklist to prepare your home for sale in Perth before your property goes on the market.

Inside the Home

• ☐ Declutter rooms
• ☐ Depersonalise
• ☐ Deep clean
• ☐ Complete repairs
• ☐ Touch up paint
• ☐ Check lighting
• ☐ Clean windows

Kitchen

• ☐ Clear benches
• ☐ Clean appliances
• ☐ Organise cupboards
• ☐ Remove unnecessary items
• ☐ Check handles and fixtures

Bathrooms

• ☐ Clean grout
• ☐ Clean shower screens
• ☐ Remove clutter
• ☐ Clean mirrors
• ☐ Replace worn towels

Bedrooms

• ☐ Style beds
• ☐ Remove excess furniture
• ☐ Clear bedside tables
• ☐ Organise wardrobes
• ☐ Check lighting

Outside

• ☐ Mow lawn
• ☐ Weed garden
• ☐ Prune plants
• ☐ Clean driveway
• ☐ Clean alfresco
• ☐ Tidy pool area
• ☐ Prepare outdoor furniture

Marketing

• ☐ Choose your agent
• ☐ Arrange staging if required
• ☐ Arrange professional photography
• ☐ Prepare listing copy
• ☐ Review marketing photos
• ☐ Schedule open home

Frequently Asked Questions