June 18, 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...

10 things you don’t know about me… Tracie Trotter

October 25, 2024

October 25, 2024

We asked the owner of Wyldewood Cellars to tell us 10 things about herself. Here are her responses. 1. What...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

Talk of the Town with SJO Superintendent Brian Brooks

May 9, 2019

May 9, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, school superintendent or board member three questions. This week we talked to St....

Homer resident digs his passion of paleontology

March 15, 2019

March 15, 2019

Earlier this year, Homer resident and Augustana College sophomore Quinn Powers gave a Youth TED talk. A TED talk is...

More than a coach: SJO to honor Duval with field dedication ceremony Friday night

August 19, 2021

August 19, 2021

An educator. A coach. A friend. A husband. A father. A community icon. On Friday night the community and high...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

Wagle reaches out of her comfort zone

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Alayna Wagle loves Halloween. So the Addams Family spooky motif is right up her alley. “I was pretty familiar with...

It takes a Christmas village

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Roberta Morris’ childhood dream was to be an architect. Instead, she worked as a pipe fitter at the Clinton Nuclear...

10 things about me….. Dana Rowland

April 3, 2019

April 3, 2019

You may know Dana Rowland as the co-chair of the SJO Post Prom Cash Bash but now you can get...

Ogden Rose Library gets a facelift

September 6, 2022

September 6, 2022

The Ogden Rose Library is getting a facelift. The library is undergoing the first part of a remodel.Currently, new flooring...

Rides available to fish fry

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

The mayor and some local residents are hoping more seniors can attend the St. Joseph Community Festival held Thursday, Friday...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Grindley keeps positive attitude during pandemic

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all experiencing, it’s just not high school athletes that are being affected. Lucas...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

Comments
Leave a Reply