The Homepie EDGE | Part 1: Preparing for a Successful Sale By Owner

The GIST: Action Items

Price it right: Do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and use Homepie’s AVM tool to find a competitive price.
Clean and declutter: Perform a deep clean and remove all personal items to create a blank canvas for buyers.
Fix the must-haves: Address all safety and functionality issues, like roof leaks or sticky doors, before listing.
Boost curb appeal: Tidy up the front of the home to make a strong first impression.

Preparing for a Successful Sale By Owner

The decision to sell For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is often motivated by the potential to save thousands in real estate commissions.¹ However, the traditional FSBO model can be complex, and a core reason for its failure is the lack of specialized expertise in pricing, marketing, and legal paperwork.² Homepie.com addresses these challenges by providing a guided platform with digital tools that empower the seller to act as their own agent.¹

Accurate Pricing: Your Most Important First Step

Properly pricing your home from the start is the most crucial step.⁷ A common mistake is overpricing due to sentimental value, which can deter buyers, or underpricing, which means losing out on equity.² To set a competitive price, you must conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) by studying recent sales of similar homes in your area.³

Homepie.com offers a free Automated Valuation Model (AVM) with its BASIC listing, which provides a preliminary home value estimate as a starting point for your research.¹ For a more professional valuation, the LUX package includes an "Expert Manual Pricing Analysis" with a licensed agent.¹

Method	Description	Cost	Accuracy	Source
AVM	An automated online tool that provides a value estimate based on public data.	Free	Least Accurate	Homepie's BASIC Listing ¹
CMA	A detailed analysis of recently sold comparable homes in the area.	DIY Time/Research	More Accurate	DIY research on sites like Zillow ³
Appraisal	A formal, professional valuation performed by a licensed appraiser.	Paid	Most Accurate	Hired professional appraiser ³

The Pre-Sale Prep Checklist: Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves

Preparing your home is a strategic process that involves making it as appealing as possible without overspending on projects that won't give a good return on investment (ROI).¹¹

The must-haves are non-negotiable items that address safety, functionality, and basic maintenance.¹² This includes fixing deferred maintenance like a leaking roof or cracked drywall, performing a top-to-bottom deep clean, and improving curb appeal by mowing the lawn and tidying the entryway.²

The nice-to-haves are strategic, low-cost upgrades that can offer a high ROI. Instead of costly renovations, a seller can focus on projects that create a fresh, neutral backdrop for a buyer's imagination.¹¹ These include repainting bold walls with a neutral color, pressure washing the exterior, and updating old light fixtures.³ Staging and decluttering are also critical, and involve removing personal items and general clutter to create a "blank canvas."¹⁰

Category	Must-Have Tasks	Nice-to-Have Tasks	Reasoning
Safety & Functionality	Fix roof leaks, patch drywall cracks, realign sticky doors.¹²	Repair driveway cracks (if minor).¹¹	Must-haves address safety concerns and deferred maintenance that would cause a home inspection to fail.
Essential Cleaning	Deep clean all areas, steam clean carpets, remove odors.⁸	Have carpets professionally cleaned.¹³	A spotless home signals it has been well-maintained and prevents buyers from being turned off by smells or dirt.²
Curb Appeal	Mow the lawn, pull weeds, tidy the entryway.²	Pressure wash the house, add fresh mulch, paint the front door.¹³	Must-haves ensure a positive first impression. Nice-to-haves provide a high-ROI visual boost.¹¹
Staging & Cosmetics	Declutter visible areas, remove personal items and family photos.¹¹	Repaint walls in a neutral color, update light fixtures, pare down furniture.¹³	Must-haves create a neutral, clean space. Nice-to-haves add a fresh, modern feel that can increase buyer interest.¹¹

NEXT > Go to Homepie EDGE | Part 2: Marketing and Engaging with Buyers

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This Homepie EDGE 4 part series references data found in the following links, as of publishing date of 8.12.2025:

Based on the research, here is a list of the cited references from the article: