Remember the little pink cottage? Most people first saw her all dressed up: fresh paint, refinished floors, charming details, and perfect lighting. What they did not see was where we started.

When my client first called me, the cottage had been through a couple of rounds of renters and was showing every bit of it. There was damage to the floors, crayon on the walls, and a bathroom that looked tired enough that I genuinely thought we would have to reglaze the tub. It was the kind of “before” that can make a seller feel overwhelmed and unsure where to even begin.

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The first step was bringing in my core team. We had the home professionally deep cleaned, which ended up being one of the most impactful (and cost-effective) decisions. The cleaning crew spent eight hours working through this 900-square-foot house, and by the time they were done, it truly sparkled. The tub that I was sure would need reglazing? Saved by a thorough clean, along with a lot of potential expense.

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From there, we moved into cosmetic improvements that would make the biggest difference to buyers: refinishing the floors, fresh paint throughout, updated light fixtures, landscaping to boost curb appeal, and finally, staging to highlight every square inch. None of this was accidental. Every choice was intentional, aimed at elevating the property and helping buyers immediately understand its value.

The key to this transformation was trust. My client said yes to every single recommendation. In return, she got more than just a prettier house; she got results. Once we hit the market, the cottage sold in just two days, with multiple offers, for 25K over asking.

Being both an agent and an interior designer means guiding clients through this entire process, from “worse for wear” to “multiple offers.” It is not just about making a home look nice. It is about strategically maximizing a property’s potential so that when it is time to sell, all that hard work shows up where it matters most: in the offers.

If you are sitting on a tired rental or a well-loved home that needs some work before it goes to market, the right plan, team, and strategy can change everything. Let’s talk.