February 5, 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

SJO to name football field in Duval’s honor

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

Like most people who have ever known Dick Duval, Brian Brooks can remember their first-ever meeting. It happened 17 years...

Get to know Senior SJO Marching Band member Bryce Collins

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

The community surrounding Marching Band is filled with some of the most talented, passionate, and downright amazing people I’ve ever...

‘ B.J. was one who absolutely stood out’

September 10, 2021

September 10, 2021

We asked Matt Davidson, the former Legislative Director for the Illinois Municipal League for his thoughts on B.J. Hackler. Here...

10 things you don’t know about me… Rylee Sjuts

May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden’s Senior Class President and graduation speaker Rylee Sjuts to tell us 10 things we didn’t know...

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....

‘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...

Kids say

July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019

Second graders from PVO South tell us if they would like to be a farmer. This post is sponsored by...

Kids say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

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...

Senior Spotlight… Drew Coursey

July 17, 2019

July 17, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Drew Coursey. This post is...

Get to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Mallory Wagner

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

The competitions, going and spending the evening with my band family and meeting and befriending other bands is just such...

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...

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...

5 things you don’t know about me… Deklan Quinn

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Deklan is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

Always Looking to Give Back: Short honored for volunteerism

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tim Short wants to inspire the younger generations. Short, who was honored with the SJO Friend of Education Award this...

Comments
Leave a Reply