If you’re preparing to list your Des Moines home, there are several things you can do to accelerate a sale. It’s never good for a home to sit on the market for too long, and sometimes, buyers are eager to close a deal as quickly as possible. While you don’t want to rush the sale process, there are a handful of things homeowners can do that can make their sale move a bit faster:

Depersonalize

Especially if you’re in a rush to sell, it can be tempting to list your home right away. If you don’t want to sacrifice on price though, it’s smart to give your home some attention before putting it on the market. One of the most important things sellers can do is to depersonalize a bit. This doesn’t mean removing all character and personality from the home, but it does mean making it easier for more people to imagine themselves in. Things like packing up family photos, repainting an eccentric room, and removing the dog bed can all help. You still want your home to feel inviting and warm, you just also want it to be more of a blank canvas that buyers can build on in their minds.

Design the Space

In addition to removing personal elements, you’ll want to think about all the things in your home. For some sellers, getting a storage unit can be a great option. Removing clutter is key. How can you showcase the size of a room or the spaciousness of a closet if it’s full of stuff? Perhaps you have some additional furniture pieces that make your house work for your family but that don’t completely make sense in the room. Hiring a professional staging company can be wise for some sellers, but if it’s not in your budget, think like a stager yourself. Imagine an empty room and build from there with what you have. Anything that’s not needed to make the room make sense should go.

Deep Clean

Cleanliness is attractive. It contributes to that blank-canvas feeling that lets prospective buyers envision themselves in the space. On the flip side, dirt can be repelling. Many buyers want to purchase a home they can move into right away, and cleanliness is a part of that. Eliminating things like pet hair and odor are key. You’ll also want to wash the windows to let in more light and ensure the counters are sparkling in the kitchen and bathrooms. A clean space will feel good to buyers, and it can help you arrive at a quicker sale.

Take Great Listing Photos

Most of today’s buyers begin their housing search from the comfort of their homes. With so many homes available to preview online, your listing photos matter more than ever. The competition can be fierce, so if you want to grab buyers’ attention right away, you’ll need eye-catching photos. Depending on your budget, you can take these yourself or hire a professional.

You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to accelerate your home sale. There are tips you can use on any budget, from no-cost options to bringing in the experts. Whatever your budget, these four tips are key for all sellers to consider, whether they take a do-it-yourself approach or enlist outside help.