Selling guide · 4 min read · Checked 21 October 2026
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale: A Room-by-Room Checklist
In short
Fix what buyers notice, not what costs the most. Start four to six weeks out: repair obvious defects, declutter by about half, repaint marks and bold colours, tidy the front garden, deep clean, then style and photograph. Big renovations rarely return what they cost, especially while prices are softening, so check comparable sales before spending more than a few thousand dollars.
Think like a buyer scrolling on their phone
Most buyers see your home first as a set of photos, then from the street, then through the front door. Work in that order. Anything that looks tired in a photo, from a car or in the first ten seconds inside is worth fixing. Anything a buyer only finds in a building report is worth knowing about, so it does not surprise you in negotiation.
Melbourne values fell over the past year, so buyers are comparing carefully. A clean, light, well-kept home stands out more in a softer market than in a rising one.
Six weeks out: plan, quote and paperwork
- Walk through with your agent and get a written fix list, with rough costs, ranked by what buyers will notice.
- Book trades early. Painters, gardeners and stylists fill up in spring.
- Ask your conveyancer to start the vendor statement (Section 32). It must be given to buyers before they sign and needs the title, certificates and any building permits, which can take time to gather.
- If you have a pool or spa, check it is registered with your council and its barrier compliance certificate is current. Buyers’ conveyancers will ask.
- Apply for your ATO clearance certificate. Every seller needs one by settlement, and it can take up to 28 days.
Room by room
- Street and entry: mow, edge, weed and mulch; clean the letterbox, house number and front door; fix a broken paver or gate latch; add a new doormat.
- Living areas: remove about half the furniture and objects, open the blinds, replace blown or mismatched globes, and clean the windows inside and out.
- Kitchen: clear the benches almost completely, fix dripping taps and loose handles, re-silicone around the sink, and clean the oven and rangehood.
- Bathrooms: re-grout or re-silicone stained joints, swap tired towels and mats for plain white, fix leaks, and put personal products away.
- Bedrooms: make every bed with plain linen, clear bedside tables, and show at least one wardrobe that is not overflowing.
- Outdoors: pressure-wash paths and decking, trim plants back from windows and gutters, and set up one simple seating area.
- Storage and garage: clear enough that buyers can see the space. Hire a short-term storage unit if you need to.
What to skip
Full kitchen and bathroom renovations started just to sell rarely return their cost, and they add weeks of risk to your timing. There is no reliable Australian study of pre-sale renovation returns, so be wary of anyone promising a fixed uplift.
The exception is a clear, cheap gap against comparable sales: for example, every similar home that sold recently had new carpet and yours has stained carpet. Ask your agent to show you that comparison in writing before you spend.
Styling and photography
Styling helps buyers understand how rooms work, and it matters most when a home is empty or the furniture is dated. Styling the living room, kitchen, main bedroom and outdoor area is usually enough. Industry estimates put styling a three or four bedroom house at roughly $3,500 to $8,000, depending on the home and the length of the campaign, so get two quotes.
Book professional photos only once everything else is done. Twilight shots suit homes with good lighting and gardens.
Paying for it
Some providers fund pre-sale repairs and styling and are repaid at settlement. Compare their fees, and what happens if the home does not sell, before you sign. We itemise marketing at cost, and a pay-at-settlement option is available, subject to approval.
The week of the first inspection
- Deep clean, including skirting boards, light switches and windows.
- Put away valuables, medicines, mail and anything with personal details.
- Plan where pets, cars and bins will go during inspections.
- Before each inspection: lights on, blinds open, heating or cooling set, and a quick walk-through to tidy.
Questions
What people ask us
Should I renovate the kitchen or bathroom before selling?
Usually not. Fix what is broken, replace tired tapware or handles, and clean thoroughly. Only consider more if comparable sales show a clear, cheap gap you can close quickly.
Is it worth repainting before I sell?
Patching marks and repainting bold or dated colours in a neutral tone is one of the cheapest ways to make rooms look bigger and lighter in photos. You rarely need to repaint the whole house.
My home is empty. Do I need a stylist?
Empty rooms often look smaller in photos, and buyers struggle to judge furniture sizes. Styling the main living areas and main bedroom is usually enough.
Should I fix everything a building inspector might find?
Fix safety issues and obvious defects. For bigger items, get a quote so you can answer buyers’ questions with a number instead of letting the issue drag down offers.
How long before listing should I start?
Four to six weeks suits most homes. Allow longer if you need trades in spring or are clearing a deceased estate.