When you’re getting ready to sell your home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You start wondering whether you need a new kitchen, if you should repaint the bedrooms, or whether your home will even compete in today’s Southeast Michigan market.

The truth? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to overthink it.

In a recent Hire It Done episode, I sat down with Tracey Freeman** of **TSF Homes, one of Metro Detroit’s fastest-growing and most trusted real estate experts. At TSF Homes, Tracey and her team believe that buying or selling a home isn’t just a transaction. It’s a life-changing experience — where your home becomes the place where memories are made, futures are shaped, and every detail matters.

With that level of care, Tracey approaches every listing with honesty, financial clarity, and a deep respect for your time, your goals, and your budget.

And that’s exactly why homeowners across Southeast Michigan trust her.

Throughout our conversation, Tracey shared actionable, practical ways to prepare your home for sale without overspending, without over-renovating, and without losing your mind in the process.

This blog breaks down the biggest insights from the episode — the ones every homeowner in Oakland County, Macomb, Wayne, and across Southeast Michigan should know before listing their property.

Why Small Improvements Outperform Big Renovations

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make? Thinking they must renovate the entire home before listing.

But as Tracey reminded all of us:

“Spend as little as possible to get your home ready for sale.”

Most homeowners assume buyers want a brand-new kitchen or a fully redone basement. But realistically? They want a clean, maintained, move-in-ready home — not your version of a design trend they might change later.

That’s why Tracey puts a spotlight on affordable updates that create the largest impact:

Light Refreshes That Pay Off

Here are the upgrades Tracey highly recommends because they instantly elevate your home without draining your savings:

• Swap out cabinet hardware.** ** A simple hardware refresh can modernize a dated kitchen or bathroom in minutes.

• Clean your carpets professionally.** ** Especially in Michigan homes where winter salt, autumn rain, and pets leave their mark.

• Power-wash the exterior.** ** First impressions matter. A clean exterior boosts curb appeal instantly.

• Refresh light fixtures.** ** Updated lighting makes your home feel brighter, cleaner, and more up-to-date.

• Touch up walls instead of repainting the entire house.** ** Focus on scuffs, high-traffic areas, and places where touch-ups go a long way.

And perhaps Tracey’s most repeated reminder:

Declutter, declutter, declutter.

You want buyers to walk in and visualize their own family living there — not get distracted by your personal items, trophies, piles of books, or overly decorated rooms.

Why Curb Appeal Drives Buyer Decisions in Minutes

Buyers often decide how they feel about a home within moments of pulling up the driveway. Curb appeal is emotional — and emotions sell homes.

Tracey sees it every day.

Clean landscaping, fresh mulch, trimmed bushes, clear walkways, and a power-washed front porch can make your home stand out in any Southeast Michigan neighborhood.

If you’ve been debating whether outdoor improvements matter, Tracey says it plainly:

“Buying decisions are made in the first couple of minutes when they walk up to a house.”

Your goal? Make those first minutes count.

Even inexpensive exterior refreshes help buyers feel like your home has been loved and well cared for.

Why Scent Matters More Than You Think

A great-looking home can lose buyers instantly if it doesn’t smell right.

Michigan homes — especially those closed up during colder months — trap scents easily. Curry, spices, pets, smoke, mold, and even strong detergents can linger.

Tracey avoids artificial air fresheners because:

• They often smell too strong, and

• They make buyers wonder what you’re hiding.

Instead, she recommends:

• Opening the windows

• Doing a deep clean

• Having carpets professionally shampooed

• Hiring a cleaning crew for a move-out level refresh

These simple steps improve air quality naturally, without masking anything.

Staging That Works (Without Buying New Furniture)

A lot of homeowners think staging means hiring a designer, renting furniture, and setting up a model home.

Tracey debunked this quickly.

Staging in Southeast Michigan is really about:

• Making rooms feel spacious

• Removing personal items

• Adding light

• Making every space feel purposeful

You don't need a new dining set. You just need to declutter and arrange your existing furniture to show the room’s size and potential.

This approach is not only cheaper — it also resonates better with buyers who want a realistic sense of how they’ll live in the home, not a showroom that doesn’t feel authentic.

Pricing Honesty Is What Truly Protects Your Home’s Value

This part of the conversation was powerful.

Tracey explained that many realtors will tell you what you want to hear just to win the listing. They’ll say, “I can get you $1.2M,” even when the market says otherwise.

Tracey refuses to do that — and it’s why she consistently gets near-asking price for her listings.

In the episode, she said:

“My listings sold for 98% of list price because I set really solid expectations with my sellers.”

Her approach?

• Bring market data.

• Show comparable homes.

• Explain buyer behavior.

• Be realistic — not emotional.

This protects you in the long run because overpriced homes sit on the market, grow stale, and ultimately sell for less.

When you price your home honestly from the start, you position yourself for the strongest buyers and the fastest sale.

Why Choosing the Right Realtor Changes Everything

Selling a home isn’t about finding someone who takes a few photos and posts them on the MLS. You need someone who understands strategy, timing, pricing, and buyer psychology.

Tracey shared what you should ask any agent before hiring them:

• What’s your track record in the last year?** **

• What percentage of your listings sell at or near list price?** **

• How do you market homes online?** **

• Do you run broker opens?** **

• What’s your approach when a home doesn’t get traction?** **

These questions reveal whether your agent is giving you a polished pitch or a real plan.

As Adam said during the show:

“You become really good at what you do when you learn how to say no.”

That’s why Tracey wins — she tells you the truth, even if it's uncomfortable. And that’s exactly the kind of honesty that gets homes sold in SE Michigan.

When Is the Best Time to Sell in SE Michigan?

Many homeowners try to time the market — spring, summer, after the school year, before the holidays. But Tracey made it simple:

People move 12 months a year in Michigan.

Inventory in Oakland County, Macomb, and much of Southeast Michigan remains low, and buyers are constantly searching.

Even with snow on the ground, you can still get serious offers if your home is priced right and properly prepared.

Timing matters far less than preparation.

Why You Should Only Hire Licensed Pros

Hiring trusted, licensed professionals is one of the best decisions you can make when preparing your home for sale. And in Southeast Michigan, the safest path is to work with the preferred partners of Hire It Done — contractors and specialists personally pre-screened by Adam himself.

From painters to power washers to HVAC pros, these are people who:

• Show up

• Give fair pricing

• Do the job right

• Respect your time and your home

And when you’re selling, that level of professionalism helps protect your home’s value.

Final Thoughts: Selling Smart Starts With Clear Guidance

Selling a home doesn’t have to be stressful, expensive, or complicated. You just need the right strategy and the right people guiding you.

If you focus on:

• Affordable, high-impact improvements

• Clean air and clean spaces

• Clear staging

• Honest pricing

• And a realtor who works with integrity

…you’ll put yourself in the strongest position to sell quickly and confidently — no matter the season.

If you're thinking about selling your home in Southeast Michigan, connect with Tracey Freeman of TSF Homes at TSFhomes.com.

And if you need trusted contractors to prepare your home the right way, head to HireItDone.com for pre-screened pros Adam personally trusts.

You deserve a smooth, successful sale — and the right experts will make that happen.

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About Hire It Done:

Hire It Done is a trusted resource for navigating the home improvement process, led by industry expert Adam Helfman. Focused on educating homeowners, Hire It Done provides key questions to ask contractors, especially those they may avoid answering. Through its weekly national radio show, Hire It Done offers practical advice and connects homeowners with elite contractors for a hassle-free experience. The platform has become a go-to for homeowners seeking expert guidance and reliable contractors.

Website: https://hireitdone.com/

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About Adam Helfman:

Adam Helfman has been Metro Detroit's trusted home improvement expert for over 35 years. As the founder of Hire It Done, he’s connected homeowners with top-quality contractors for two decades. Adam's popular Saturday morning home improvement radio show has been a go-to resource for Metro Detroiters for 18 years.

With his extensive industry experience, he knows the critical questions homeowners need to ask. Including those contractors often avoid. Tune in to hear how you can hire the right pro and avoid costly mistakes.

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