There’s something about spring in Sonoma County that shifts the real estate market. The light is better. The landscape wakes up. And buyers—serious buyers—start paying attention again. I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately with sellers asking how to prepare their home for sale this spring. And instead of giving a generic answer, I started thinking…

What would I do if this were my own home? Not perfectly. Not theoretically. But realistically.

If I were preparing my home for sale, I’d begin in the kitchen (because buyers do). I would clear it down more than feels natural. Less on the counters. Clean lines. Let the space feel open and easy. Then I’d take a harder look:

• Do the cabinets feel fresh enough?
• Do the appliances match the price point I’m aiming for?
• Does the kitchen feel current—or just “okay”?

Because buyers in Sonoma County don’t just look at kitchens—they react to them.

Next stop would be the garage. It’s one of the most overlooked spaces when preparing a home for sale—and one of the most telling. If it feels crowded or disorganized, buyers immediately assume the home lacks storage. So, I would:

• Clear it out significantly
• Organize what remains
• Make it feel intentional and usable
• Get a storage unit

Yes, I Would Get a Storage Unit. Honestly, this is one of the smartest things you can do when getting your home ready to sell. I would remove:

• Extra furniture
• Off-season clothing
• Anything I don’t need daily

Because space is one of the biggest value drivers—and clutter quietly takes that away.

If I saw foggy windows, I’d replace them. That may sound small, but it’s not. Details like that signal deferred maintenance, and buyers will start to question what else hasn’t been taken care of. When preparing your home for sale, it’s often these smaller visual cues that shape the overall perception.

If I were selling my own home, I would absolutely do pre-listing inspections.

• Home inspection
• Pest inspection
• Roof inspection

Not because everything needs to be perfect—but because I want clarity before a buyer does. It puts you in control, and it prevents surprises that can derail a deal later.

If I had to sum up how to prepare your home for sale this spring, it’s this: Don’t rely on the market to carry your home.

Prepare it in a way that makes it easy for a buyer to say yes. Because the homes that are selling well right now in Sonoma County aren’t just priced right…They feel right the moment you walk in.