Getting Your Home Ready to Sell: The Truth You Need to Hear
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Hi, I’m Robin Cavallaro, your go-to realtor here in Florida. Welcome to this episode of Reality Check: Selling Your Home Edition.
Today we’re tackling what you actually need to do to get your house ready to sell — what to spend your money on, and what NOT to waste a dime on.
This isn’t sugar-coated advice. It’s what works. So grab your coffee (or wine — no judgment) and stay with me to the end.
🚨 Start With the Roof. Yes, the Roof.
Before you spend a penny on paint, flowers, or fancy knobs — stop and look up.
If your roof is 12+ years old, replace it.
I know, I know — you don’t want to replace it. Nobody does. But if you want to actually sell, the insurance companies (and buyers) don’t care how much life you think your roof has left.
Here’s my insider tip: call your insurance company and ask, “If I were to buy this house today with this roof, would you insure it?”
If they say yes, great — but 99% of the time, they won’t. Which means you’ll have to either:
Replace the roof, or
Drop your price to cover what the buyer has to spend on replacing it.
And trust me — letting the buyer handle it is usually a nightmare that delays closing by weeks or months. Been there, done that, got the gray hair.
🧰 Next: HVAC & Hot Water Heater
Your AC isn’t usually a deal-killer, but keep it serviced.
Your hot water heater, however, is a problem if it’s ancient. Budget $1,500 to replace it if needed — buyers and insurers expect it.
🕵️♀️ Get a Pre-Home Inspection
Hire an inspector before listing.
They’ll find everything a buyer’s inspector will.
You can fix the little stuff ahead of time (usually just $500–$600 worth of minor repairs).
Then you can proudly show buyers an inspection report with repairs already done.
Bonus: Offer a home warranty for extra peace of mind (around $500).
🌴 Curb Appeal: First Impressions Matter
Buyers judge your house before they even open the door. Make sure your yard and exterior say, “I care about this house.”
✅ Mow, weed, trim trees, patch bare spots.
✅ Power-wash the house, driveway, sidewalk, and light fixtures.
✅ Replace burned-out bulbs & fix broken outdoor lights.
✅ Paint your front door and replace old, rusty locks (nobody likes wrestling with a key in front of their agent).
Pro tip: If you’re adding plants, keep it low-maintenance. People like me (plant killers) don’t want to inherit a jungle we can’t manage.
🪄 Interior: Quick, Smart Updates
Here’s what to fix and what to skip:
DO:
Replace corroded faucets and dated cabinet hardware.
Install new, matching light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Repaint walls in neutral colors. (I like Sherwin Williams “Pearly White” #7053 — just sayin’.)
Deep-clean your baseboards, carpets, and windows.
Scrub or repaint if you’ve smoked in the house — buyers can smell it instantly.
DON’T:
Drop $8–10K on new countertops or cabinets unless your kitchen is truly unsellable.
Paint cabinets yourself if you’re not 100% sure they’ll look professional — badly painted cabinets are worse than old ones.
If you really want to update your kitchen without going broke, consider just replacing cabinet doors and painting the boxes.
🧹 Clean Like You’re Selling to Your Mother-In-Law
Declutter. Clean. Then clean again.
Wash all linens and pillowcases.
Don’t overdo scents — one clean, subtle smell is fine.
If you smoke or have pets, clean your ducts and upholstery.
And for the love of all things holy, no overpowering plug-ins. People don’t want to feel like you’re masking something.
Final Thoughts
Selling your home is about making smart, cost-effective choices that buyers (and their inspectors & insurers) care about.
If you want me to take a look at your home and tell you exactly what you should do — whether you’re in The Villages, Florida, or sending me pictures from Wyoming — I’m happy to help.
📞 Call, text, or email me and we’ll set up a time to chat or even do a FaceTime walk-through.
Remember: you’re not just selling a house — you’re selling a lifestyle. And buyers can feel when you’ve cared for a home.
Now go tackle that roof and power-wash those bugs off the garage lights. You got this.
Thinking About Buying or Selling Your Home?
I’m here to help. Feel free to text or email me anytime. I’m Robin Cavallaro, a licensed Realtor—and I am here to help you buy or sell a home in The Villages, Florida.
Thank you for joining this episode—until next time!
If you are looking for a home to rent here in The Villages, Florida Clara’s Cottage located in The Village of McClure is now accepting guest reservations.
