Selling a home can be difficult enough, let alone if you are also still living in that home throughout the progression. Here is a list of five easy ways to help you survive the selling process and keep your home looking magazine-worthy.

1. Declutter

Prior to putting your house on the market, be sure to go through all of your belongings and keep only the most valuable. The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to move AND will help to make your home appear more open and expansive, which is appealing to potential buyers. Also make an effort to remove all personal items such as family photos and keepsakes. You want to help make the home a blank slate for the new seller to start their life in. You can certainly rent a storage unit for your additional belongings, especially if you have large items to store.

2. Easy Fix

Simple cosmetic fixes can help you improve your home without having to spring for expensive upgrades. Rather than investing in brand new kitchen cabinets, you can paint them and upgrade the hardware to give your kitchen a refreshed look. Add a new coat of paint to the walls for a new look and fix that shaky bannister rather than replacing it. Minor tweaks can make a major difference.

3. Keep It Clean

Scrub your home down from top to bottom. A potential homebuyer will take note of every missed spot and that could affect their decision. Clean and shiny floors, washed/freshly painted walls and polished furnishings will all help to make a great first impression. You can consider hiring a cleaning service if necessary, to help with the upkeep in the interim.

4. Trick the Eye

Moving large pieces of furniture around the room, or better yet, completely out of a room, can make it appear much larger than it really is. A clearer room gives the impression of space and allows the potential homebuyer to better envision their own belongings in the home. (Just make sure to keep what you need while you’re still living in the space!)

5. Opt for Neutrals

Speaking of making a room look larger, neutral colors can help make a space seem airy and more open. Soft, neutral colors such a gray, beige, and cream can all brighten and lighten your home, giving the potential homebuyer a better impression of a room, and doesn’t distract from what the space offers.

Although it may be a bit more difficult, there is no reason why you cannot continue to live in your home while it is listed on the market. The true task is ensuring that you have what you need while still keeping your home presentable and ready for a new owner. Finding that balance will allow you to live in comfort and hopefully sell your home with ease.