Thinking about selling your Great Hills home and want buyers to fall in love from the first photo? You do not need a full remodel to get there. With a few smart, photo-first moves, you can make your home look brighter, larger, and more move-in ready without turning your life upside down. In this guide, you will get a simple, room-by-room plan that fits the way buyers shop in Austin and the way homes are built in Great Hills. Let’s dive in.
Your low-stress staging plan
Great Hills buyers look for updated kitchens, light-filled rooms, usable outdoor space, and a spot to work from home. Your goal is to make those features shine while keeping your timeline and budget in check.
- Quick wins first: declutter, deep clean, fresh neutral paint in key rooms, brighter lighting, and curb appeal. These make the biggest difference in photos and showings.
- Tackle updates where they count: simple kitchen and bath refreshes, flooring touch-ups, and lighter window treatments if time and budget allow.
Follow this sequence for a smooth two to three week prep:
- Clean, declutter, and move excess items to offsite storage.
- Handle minor repairs and safety items.
- Paint high-impact rooms like the entry, main living area, kitchen, and primary bedroom.
- Improve lighting and update window treatments to let in more daylight.
- Refresh curb appeal and outdoor living spaces.
- Add finishing touches and schedule professional photography.
Room-by-room guide for Great Hills
Entry and curb appeal
First impressions start at the street. Mow, trim hedges, and clear debris. Power-wash the walk and drive if needed. If the front door looks tired, paint or replace it, and update house numbers and the doormat. Add two simple potted plants, sized to the space, and keep the path clear.
Photo tip: remove cars and trash bins, and make sure the walkway is open and inviting in the hero shot.
Living room or family room
Many Great Hills homes have a formal living area plus a family room that opens to the kitchen. Remove extra furniture to create clear pathways and show the true scale. Arrange seating to highlight natural light and the main feature, such as a fireplace or big windows. Keep decor neutral and modern with a few streamlined accessories.
Photo tip: add one or two lamps to eliminate dark corners. A light throw and a couple of pillows add warmth without clutter.
If you have heavy drapes, swap them for lighter panels. Replace area rugs that are too small, and consider a neutral paint color to tie separate rooms together.
Kitchen
Buyers focus on kitchens, especially in Austin’s move-up market. Clear countertops until they are almost empty. Leave one or two styled items, like a fruit bowl or a cookbook. Clean appliances inside and out, and polish metal surfaces. Replace burned-out bulbs and consider updated hardware or a simple new faucet.
Photo tip: remove magnets from the fridge, hide trashcans and small appliances, and set one small vignette such as a coffee station. If needed, consider painting or refinishing cabinet fronts and resealing grout. Fix any visible damage or leaks before you list.
Dining room
Set a simple, scaled table with a neutral runner and 4 to 6 place settings. Make sure there is clear space to walk around the table. Use one piece of art or a mirror to add depth and bounce light without distracting from the room’s size.
Photo tip: keep the overhead fixture clean and at the right height so it does not block the camera’s view.
Primary bedroom
Create a calm retreat. Dress the bed with neutral bedding, two support pillows, and one accent pillow or throw. Edit down furniture to what is needed, and add one small lounge spot if space allows. Clear closets so they feel generous, and store extras offsite.
Photo tip: shoot from the doorway and a second angle that shows the en suite or closet to convey scale and flow.
Secondary bedrooms and home office
Neutralize kids’ rooms so buyers can imagine any use. In at least one spare bedroom, stage a work-from-home setup with a desk, lamp, and plant. Organize closets with matching hangers and tidy shelves to suggest ample storage.
Bathrooms
Small fixes go a long way. Re-caulk where needed, refresh stained grout, and swap old shower curtains for clean, light versions or glass if you have it. Add fresh neutral towels and a simple bath mat. Consider new mirrors or light fixtures if current ones are very dated.
Photo tip: remove personal items from counters. A small plant or neatly stacked towels provide just enough color.
Laundry and utility
Clean and organize shelves. Hide detergents in baskets. Wipe down appliances and make sure vents are clean. A tidy utility space reads as well cared for.
Bonus spaces and garage
If you have a game room, media room, or flex space, stage it as the most useful secondary living area for your layout. Keep furniture simple so the room feels larger. In the garage, sweep, organize, and show space for vehicles plus storage.
Outdoor living and backyard
Usable outdoor space is a priority for Austin buyers. Trim landscaping, clean the patio, and set out a complete seating group with balanced pieces. If you have a grill or a pool, make sure they are clean and staged for use. Consider a twilight photo for the backyard if lighting allows.
Photo-ready detail checklist
- Clean windows inside and out, and tie back curtains to let in maximum light.
- Match bulbs to a consistent, daylight-balanced color temperature throughout the home.
- Hide cords, chargers, trashcans, pet beds, and litter boxes for photos and showings.
- Position mirrors to reflect light, not clutter.
Before and after in Great Hills
1990s ranch with split living spaces
Before: the living room felt crowded with mismatched furniture and heavy drapes. Kitchen counters were full, and the backyard was overgrown.
Actions: removed about 30 percent of furniture, painted main areas in a warm neutral, added two lamps and a clean-lined ceiling fixture, cleared countertops and created one breakfast vignette, power-washed the patio, and set two outdoor chairs with a small table. Stored extra items offsite.
After: the living room looked airy and larger in photos, the kitchen read clean and modern with noticeable counter space, and the backyard showed as a usable entertaining area.
Two-story with primary suite and office
Before: the primary bedroom was painted dark blue, the office was packed with personal items and boxes, and bathroom grout looked stained.
Actions: repainted the primary in a light neutral, staged a simple sitting area, edited and styled the office as a focused work zone, and deep-cleaned or re-grouted tile.
After: the primary photographed bright and tranquil, the office presented as functional and market-forward, and baths appeared clean and refreshed.
Vendors and coordination
You can do much of this yourself, but the right pros save time and stress. Consider:
- Real estate advisor to set priorities and budget based on the micro-market.
- Staging consultant or full-service stager for a plan or furniture rental.
- Professional photographer and virtual tour provider for high-impact visuals.
- Deep-cleaning crew scheduled after repairs and paint.
- Handyman or contractor for small fixes and hardware updates.
- Painter with strong references for key rooms.
- Electrician for lighting swaps and exterior lights.
- Plumber for visible leaks and fixture replacements.
- Landscaper for trimming, mulch, and sprinkler checks.
- Flooring specialist for repairs or refinishing as needed.
- Storage rental or PODS for offsite decluttering.
- Carpet and upholstery cleaners for a fresh, neutral scent.
A simple 2 to 3 week timeline
- Week 0: agent and staging consult, gather bids, set scope.
- Week 1: declutter and move items to storage, start repairs and painting, book landscaper.
- Week 2: deep clean, install staging touches, complete photography, then list.
Sequence work so contractors finish before cleaners and staging. That reduces disruption and keeps everything photo-ready.
Budget priorities that pay off
- Cleaning, paint, and lighting deliver the highest visual return for the cost.
- Do targeted kitchen and bath refreshes if fixtures or hardware are dated.
- Consider a staging consultation if full furniture rental is not in the budget.
- Ask for itemized quotes and local references for timing and quality control.
Plan your sale with a local pro
A focused staging plan helps your Great Hills home stand out online and in person. If you want an experienced hand to coordinate vendors, manage a quick prep timeline, and market with professional photography and virtual tours, call Chet Smith. You will get a clear, step-by-step plan to reduce stress and boost your net.
FAQs
Should I stage every room in my Great Hills home?
- Focus on high-impact areas first such as entry, main living and kitchen, primary bedroom, and outdoor spaces, then add others if time and budget allow.
What paint colors work best for staging in Austin?
- Use warm, light neutrals in key rooms to reflect more light and appeal to a wide range of buyers.
How should I handle family photos and personal items?
- Remove most personal photos and highly specific decor, keeping a few tasteful, non-identifying pieces for warmth.
Is professional staging worth it if I still live in the home?
- A staging consultation can identify quick wins using what you have, while full staging is best for vacant homes or when furniture is dated.
How do I stage around an unusual floor plan?
- Use furniture to define zones and traffic flow, naming each space with a clear function such as a reading nook or play area.
