How to Get Your DeSoto County Home Ready to Sell in 30 Days
Getting your home ready to sell can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to take six months and a full renovation. With a focused plan, you can make a big impact in about 30 days.
Here’s a practical, week-by-week checklist to get your DeSoto County home show-ready without losing your mind in the process.
Week 1: Declutter and Make Decisions
Focus: Less stuff, more space.
Buyers in DeSoto County want to see the house, not your stuff. The first week is all about clearing space so rooms feel bigger, brighter, and easier to imagine living in.
In Week 1, aim to:
Go room by room and remove anything you don’t use regularly
Thin out closets so they look spacious, not jam-packed
Clear kitchen and bathroom counters to just a few everyday essentials
Pack away collections, extra decor, and personal photos
Tidy up garages, attics, and storage areas as much as you can
Think of it as starting your move early. You’re not just decluttering, you’re pre-packing.
Week 2: Tackle Repairs and Touchups
Focus: Fix the obvious.
You don’t have to completely remodel your home to sell it, but small issues can add up in a buyer’s mind. In Week 2, handle the things that make the house feel “worn” or poorly maintained.
Common items to address:
Patch nail holes or wall dings and touch up paint
Fix leaky faucets, running toilets, or dripping showerheads
Tighten loose cabinet doors, knobs, and handles
Replace burned-out light bulbs (and consider brighter bulbs where rooms feel dark)
Re-caulk tubs, showers, or sinks where caulk is cracked or discolored
If there are larger items (roof, HVAC, etc.), talk with your agent about the best way to handle them before you start writing big checks. Sometimes disclosure and pricing strategy make more sense than major pre-listing projects.
Week 3: Deep Cleaning and Curb Appeal
Focus: Make it feel clean and cared-for.
By Week 3, the house should be less cluttered and basic repairs handled. Now it’s time to make everything feel fresh.
Inside:
Deep clean kitchens and bathrooms
Wipe baseboards, trim, vents, and light switches
Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures
Wash interior windows and glass doors
Have carpets professionally cleaned if they’re stained or tired
Outside:
Mow, edge, and clean up the yard
Trim bushes so they’re neat and not blocking windows
Pull weeds and refresh mulch where needed
Sweep porches, steps, and walkways
Clean or repaint the front door if it’s scratched or faded
Curb appeal doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to say “this home is well cared for.”
Week 4: Staging, Final Details, and Photo Prep
Focus: Make it photo-ready.
Photos are often the first time a buyer will “see” your home, so Week 4 is about styling and final details.
Simplify and Arrange Rooms
Remove extra furniture that makes rooms feel cramped
Arrange seating to create clear walkways and good conversation areas
Make sure each room has a clear purpose (bedroom, office, dining, etc.)
You don’t need designer furniture. You just need clean, open, and intentional spaces.
Add a Few Finishing Touches
Use neutral or simple throw pillows and blankets
Add a few plants or greenery for life and color
Use simple, neutral bedding in bedrooms
Keep surfaces mostly clear with just a few well-chosen decor pieces
Less is more. You want buyers to notice the space, not be distracted by decor.
Plan for Photo Day
Before professional photos:
Remove trash cans from sight (inside and out)
Put away pet items like beds, bowls, and litter boxes
Hide personal photos, paperwork, and visible valuables
Open blinds and curtains to let in as much light as possible
Turn on all lights for a bright, inviting look
Your agent and photographer can give you final tweaks on photo day, but this prep makes a huge difference.
Showing-Day Checklist
Once your home hits the market, you’ll need a simple routine you can do before showings. A quick checklist might include:
Lights on in every room
Blinds and curtains adjusted to let in light
Counters wiped and clear
Dishes put away, sinks clean
Beds made and clothing off the floor
Trash taken out
Pet items put away or minimized
You don’t have to live in a museum, but showings are when the house needs to look its best.
Work With an Agent Who Has a Clear Prep Plan
Preparing your home to sell doesn’t have to be a guessing game. A good listing agent will:
Walk through the property with you and prioritize what actually matters
Help you decide where to spend (and not spend) money
Give you a prep checklist tailored to your home
Coordinate professional photos and the right timing for your launch on the market
If you’re thinking about selling in Hernando, Southaven, Olive Branch, Nesbit, or anywhere in DeSoto County, I’d be happy to create a custom 30-day prep plan for your home.
I’m Lori Philley, a REALTOR® based in Hernando, MS. I combine local market data, strong marketing, and practical prep strategies to help my sellers stand out from the competition.
Call or text me at 901-491-2275, or
We’ll talk about your timeline, your goals, and what your home needs — and doesn’t need — to be ready for the market in the next 30 days.
