Are you starting to make preparations for getting your house on the market?

A good first step -- before decluttering, before cleaning, before listing photos, before the first showing -- is to take a short walk.

Yes, I know… it's hot out there. But... step outside, take a breath, and then walk through your own front door just like a potential buyer would do for the first time. Close the door behind you, pause, and look around.

What hits you first?

Do things feel calm or cluttered? 

Is the space inviting -- or are there visual distractions that grab your attention? 

How does the lighting feel? 

What do you smell? 

What do you hear?

These first 10 to 15 seconds matter more than you might think. Buyers make quick judgments -- often before they've taken more than a few steps into your home. That gut-level first impression sets the tone for how they experience the rest of the house.

If the entryway feels tight, dark, or crowded, think about what you can remove or rearrange. If it feels bright, clean, and welcoming -- we're on the right track.  

Remember, preparing your home for the market isn't just about making a space look decluttered, simplified and clean -- it's about helping buyers feel comfortable and at home from the very first step into your home.

If you'd like a fresh perspective on your home's first impression stacks up, I'd be happy to stop by and do that first impression check with you.