I hope this guide makes things a little clearer. If you need help with the house, I’m happy to talk it through with you. Feel free to reach out.
Jolene Baijot | Real Estate Agent, CPRES, ABR · Updated September 2026
Quick Answer:
You don’t need a remodel to get an inherited home ready to sell. The changes that make the biggest difference are simple: edit the furniture instead of emptying every room, let in as much light as you can, use one warm neutral paint color, keep the home’s best character, and make a few small updates buyers notice right away. Skip big remodels and trendy finishes.
I grew up in a family of interior designers. Long before I was selling homes, I was learning how light, color and a few well chosen pieces can change the way a room feels.
I’ve now spent more than 25 years preparing and selling homes. When I walk through an inherited home, I look for ways to show its best features while respecting what it means to the family.
Here’s what I’ve learned works best.
Start With a Walkthrough
Before anything is moved, painted or hauled away, walk through the home with fresh eyes. Notice what you see first in each room, where the light comes in, and what the home does beautifully.
That first walkthrough tells you where to put your time and money. Often it’s far less than families expect.
1. Edit Instead of Empty
An empty room can feel cold and smaller than it is. A room with a few good pieces shows buyers the scale and how they’d live there.
Keep a sofa and a side table in the living room, a table in the dining room, and a bed in the main bedroom if they’re in good shape. Clear the rest: extra chairs, collections, piles of papers, and anything on the floor that blocks a walkway.
Set aside family keepsakes and photos first. There’s no rush on those.
2. Let the Light In
Good light makes a room feel welcoming, both in photos and in person.
Heavy drapes, dark valances and old pleated shades make rooms feel smaller and older. Take them down, or open them all the way for photos and showings. Clean every window inside and out. A simple, light filtering shade or clean bare windows almost always shows better than dated window treatments.
Then match your light bulbs. A soft warm white throughout the house looks clean and welcoming, while a mix of yellow and blue bulbs makes rooms feel uneven.
3. Choose One Warm Neutral
If the walls need paint, pick one warm, soft neutral and use it throughout most of the house. It makes the home feel bigger and more connected, and it photographs beautifully.
Paint the ceilings a clean white, and freshen the trim. Fresh paint is one of the best returns on a small budget.
4. Keep the Character
Not everything older needs to go. Original hardwood floors, built in cabinets, a brick fireplace, vintage tile in great condition and solid wood doors are often selling points.
Clean them, light them well and let them shine. If there’s hardwood under old carpet, pulling the carpet and cleaning or refinishing the floor can be a wonderful surprise for buyers.
5. Small Updates With Big Impact
A few modest changes make a home feel cared for:
Replace dated light fixtures in the entry, kitchen and dining room.
Update cabinet hardware and a tired kitchen faucet.
Change yellowed outlet and switch covers.
Recaulk the tub and kitchen sink.
Add fresh house numbers and a clean porch light.
Choose the updates that suit the home and your budget. You don’t need to do them all.
6. Give Every Room a Purpose
Buyers love knowing exactly how a room works. A small extra room with a desk becomes an office. A nook with a chair and lamp becomes a reading spot. A dining room with a table looks like a dining room, not a storage room.
7. Make the First Impression Count
Buyers decide a lot before they walk in the door. Trim the shrubs, add fresh bark, sweep the walkway and porch, and set a pair of potted plants by the front door. If the front door is faded, a fresh coat of paint makes a big difference.
8. Fresh and Clean Wins
Air the house out, clean the carpets or floors, and wash the windows. A home that feels fresh and bright sells better than one that’s been heavily scented to cover anything up.
What to Skip
A designer’s eye is just as valuable for knowing what not to do:
Full kitchen or bath remodels.
Trendy finishes that reflect one person’s taste.
Staging every room with rented furniture when a few good pieces will do.
Big projects that delay the listing without adding equal value.
A clean, bright home helps buyers see what they could do with the space.
When the Home Holds Memories
Preparing a parent’s home for sale is emotional. Before the cleanout, take photos of each room as it was. It can be a nice way to keep those memories.
Take your time with the personal things, and let the professionals handle the rest.
Preparing a Home From Out of the Area
If you live far away, I can coordinate the cleaners, painters, handymen, estate sale company and landscapers, and send you photos as each step is done. You’ll see the progress without needing to be there.
For more on what to do and what to skip, see cleanout, repairs or sell as is and selling an inherited home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stage an inherited home?
Light staging usually helps. A few good pieces in the main rooms show scale and purpose without the cost of a full staging package.
Should we leave furniture in the house when we list it?
Leave a few pieces that are clean and in good shape, and clear the rest. Rooms should feel open and easy to walk through.
What paint color is best for selling a house?
A soft, warm neutral used throughout most of the house, with white ceilings and fresh trim.
Should I replace the carpet before selling?
If there’s hardwood underneath, uncovering it is often the better move. Otherwise, a deep clean may be enough, and new carpet only makes sense when the old is badly worn.
What about old window coverings?
Take down heavy or dated drapes and valances, and open everything up for photos. Clean bare windows or simple shades let buyers see the light and the view.
If you would like to keep reading, I also cover the first week after inheriting a house.
About the Author
Jolene Baijot is a real estate agent and Designated Broker with more than 25 years of experience and over 1,000 transactions. She holds the Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES) and Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designations. She grew up in a family of interior designers and brings a designer’s eye to every home she prepares for sale. Learn more about how Jolene helps with probate and trust sales.
Let’s Walk Through the Home Together
Sometimes a walk through the house makes it easier to decide what needs attention. I’m happy to help you sort through what might be worth doing before a sale. Let me know if you’d like to meet.
