April 20, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 tips to get your home ready to sell

  1. Clear out your personal belongings and declutter.
    It’s a good idea to eliminate clutter and depersonalize the home. You’ll want to neutralize the home so that others can imagine their items in the home. Also remove any furniture that isn’t needed and clean off counters. It will also make the rooms appear neat and larger. 
  2. Give each room a purpose.
    Buyers don’t want to wonder what the room is used for. It is important that each room have one purpose if possible. For instance, don’t set up a room as a bedroom and workout room. Also arrange the furniture in a purposeful way, and in seating groups.
  3. Make your home as move-in ready as possible and highlight the positives. 
    Paint is generally inexpensive and can help neutralize spaces and highlights features. If the view is amazing make sure you open the blinds and pull back any curtains.  
  4. Focus on kitchens and bathrooms. 
    These two areas are high on the list for buyers. If you are going to spend money on upgrades, these are the two areas where you will want to impress.
  5. Consider adding smart home upgrades. 
    Some studies show up to 65% of buyers are willing to pay more for homes that have these features. The most desirable items are programmable thermostats, lighting and security devices. 
  6. Look at curb appeal.
    First impressions are important. Add some landscaping for added value. At the least, clean and tidy the landscaping that is already present and add some flowers for color. A fresh coat of paint on the door and new welcome mat are nice touches as well.
  7. Repair necessary items
    Homes that are in good condition sell easier. Walk through your home and look for maintenance items. Make sure to replace broken windows and fix any leaks.
  8. Organize closets.
    Your closets tell the story of if you have enough storage in your home or not. Remove any unnecessary items and organize everything.
  9. Clean. 
    Vacuuming and dusting are a must, but don’t miss the deep cleaning. Make sure not to forget light fixtures, faucets and ceiling fan blades.
  10. Call your Realtor
    It’s important to get guidance. Hiring the right Real Estate Professional can make all the difference. Your Realtor will guide you through the whole process from prepping, pricing and marketing to negotiating and handling the after contract details. 
in People
Banner
Related Posts

Senior Spotlight… Hannah Rajlich

June 18, 2019

June 18, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we talked to Hannah Rajlich. This post is sponsored...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

10 things you don’t know about me… Toni Barnes

December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019

We recently asked St. Joseph-Ogden Assistant Volleyball coach Toni Barnes to reflect on the season and tell us 10 things...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

Dairy Barn still for sale

July 6, 2022

July 6, 2022

The Sidney Dairy Barn is still for sale. Listed for sale in mid-June, the iconic ice cream stand has yet...

Athletic complex to be dedicated tonight

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

 The St. Joseph-Ogden School District will honor Glenn Fisher tonight.The district voted in June 2020 to name the athletic complex...

Setterdahl finds perfect fit at Clemson

May 18, 2019

May 18, 2019

Ben Setterdahl thinks he may be annoying people. The St. Joseph-Ogden senior, who is co-valedictorian, can’t stop talking about Clemson...

St. Joseph Community Garage Sales Spring 2025

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

5 505 N 4th St.Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 8am-2pmClothing, toddler to adult (all sizes) household items, toys, craft items, lots of...

Senior spotlight…. Payton Clements

January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020

What are your post high school plans? After high school, I plan on attending Bradley university and majoring in environmental...

“It couldn’t be done” read by Erica Guelfi

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

It Couldn’t Be DoneBY EDGAR ALBERT GUESTSomebody said that it couldn’t be done      But he with a chuckle repliedThat “maybe it couldn’t,”...

Remembering Dawn Van Buskirk: St. Joseph resident ‘admired and loved for who she truly was’

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

To those that knew her, Dawn Van Buskirk always had a smile on her face. “She was a happy person...

How I get it done: St. Joseph-Ogden Principal GARY PAGE

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

We ask local leaders to discuss their views on leadership, how they set goals and what a typical day is...

St. Joseph man peacefully protests against police brutality: ‘We need to listen’

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

Jon Arteaga isn’t looking for any praise by protesting at the corner of Main Street and Route 150 in St....

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

10 things you don’t know about me… Gary Page

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? At the risk  of being boo’d out of town – I will never...

Comments
Leave a Reply