If I Planned to Sell My Home in the Next 90 Days, Here Are the 3 Things I’d Do to Increase Its Value (Metro Detroit Edition)

Thinking about selling your home in the Metro Detroit area in the next three months? With the right preparation, you can maximize your sale price, attract more buyers, and sell faster. Whether your home is in Birmingham, Northville, Plymouth, or anywhere across Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb Counties, these are the exact strategies I would use to boost your home’s value before listing.

These steps are cost-effective, impactful, and designed specifically for Metro Detroit home sellers.

1. Start With High-Return “Perception Repairs” in Metro Detroit Homes

Buyers in Metro Detroit form an opinion about your home in under 30 seconds. That means small details matter more than you might think.

Perception repairs are not major remodels. They are inexpensive updates that signal your home is well cared for and move-in ready.

Here’s what I would prioritize:

• Repainting scuffed trim, baseboards, and doors
• Replacing or modernizing outdated light fixtures
• Tightening loose cabinet and door hardware
• Fixing squeaky hinges and wobbly banisters
• Refreshing caulking in bathrooms and kitchens
• Repairing foggy windows or broken screens

These fixes usually cost a few hundred dollars but can prevent buyers from imagining major repairs, which can increase your perceived value significantly.

Tip: Buyers almost always overestimate repair costs. A $200 fix can feel like a $3,000 project.

2. Make Strategic Cosmetic Updates That Photograph Beautifully

Most buyers in Metro Detroit will see your home online before visiting in person. Your online photos often determine whether they schedule a showing.

The cosmetic updates that matter most for photos and in-person impressions include:

• Fresh, neutral paint in warm greige tones
• Modern matte black or brushed nickel hardware
• Lighting with a warm, inviting color temperature
• A clean, simple kitchen backsplash
• Decluttered and minimal décor for photo clarity

These updates usually cost $500 to $2,500 but can increase your home’s perceived value by $15,000 to $30,000.

Areas like Troy, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Northville are highly competitive. The right cosmetic updates can help your listing stand out online and attract more qualified buyers.

3. Elevate Your Home With Full Pre-Market Staging and Professional Presentation

Staging is one of the most overlooked steps, yet it delivers the biggest impact. Staging transforms a house into a home buyers can imagine themselves living in.

If I were selling my own home in Metro Detroit, I would treat it exactly like every listing I take:

• Complimentary home staging
• Professional real estate photography
• Clean, intentional layouts
• Thoughtful styling that guides buyers through each room
• Designs that make spaces feel larger and more functional

Staged homes consistently sell faster, show better online, and receive stronger offers within the first 72 hours—the most critical window for homes in Metro Detroit.

Remember: staging is not just about aesthetics—it creates emotion, and emotion is what sells homes.

The Bottom Line for Metro Detroit Sellers

If I had 90 days to prepare my home for the market, I would focus on:

1. High-return perception repairs
2. Cosmetic updates that photograph beautifully
3. Pre-market staging and professional presentation

Not a long list, just the right steps. These are the strategies that actually increase your home’s value and appeal to buyers.

Watch the Video: 3 Things I’d Do 90 Days Before Selling My Home in Metro Detroit

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, watch my YouTube video where I break down these three steps, show examples, and provide tips specifically for Metro Detroit homes.

Thinking About Selling Your Metro Detroit Home?

I created a free tool to help you estimate your net proceeds and see what you would actually walk away with after selling. Click here to download the free tool.

Metro Detroit Home Seller FAQs: How to Increase Your Home Value Before Selling