Featured Service Spotlight: A conversation with Mark Plunkett of @ Properties
We sat down with Mark Plunkett of @ Properties to talk about the biggest mistakes homeowners make before selling, how to maximize property value, and some of the wildest situations he’s encountered in real estate.
Q: Mark, what’s the biggest mistake homeowners make when selling their property?
Mark: “The biggest mistake homeowners make is trying to list the property before it’s truly ready. First impressions are everything — you only get one first impression. I always encourage my clients to wait until the property is fully prepared before going to market.”
Q: What’s a small issue that can become a big expensive problem if ignored?
Mark: “It really goes back to preparation. We call it ‘clean and green.’ Maybe it’s fresh paint, cleaning pavers, exterior washing, landscaping, or fixing small maintenance items. Buyers notice everything. If they see too many issues, they start mentally adding up repair costs and can lose interest quickly.”
Q: What’s one thing homeowners can do themselves to extend the life — and value — of their property?
Mark: “Declutter. Start moving things out and creating space. When people buy a house, they turn it into a home. But when you’re selling, you need to reverse that process and turn it back into a house that buyers can picture themselves living in.”
Q: What type of homes or situations require extra attention before selling?
Mark: “As a listing agent, you really have to look at the house through the eyes of the buyer. Sellers become used to things over time and stop noticing them. Buyers notice everything.
One thing I often recommend is getting a home inspection before listing the property. Small problems are usually much less expensive to fix upfront. Something simple like a window sticking can suddenly turn into buyers asking for every window to be repaired or replaced after inspection — and now the cost is two or three times higher.”
Q: What’s changed in the real estate market that homeowners should know about?
Mark: “The demand cycle is much shorter now. Homes move very quickly, so sellers need to be ready before they list. If a property sits on the market too long — even more than 10 days in some areas — buyers immediately start wondering if something is wrong with it.”
Q: If there’s one thing every home seller should do today, what would it be?
Mark: “Declutter everything. Purge what you don’t need, put things into storage, and make the house feel open and clean. We also encourage sellers to divide and conquer — hire professionals where needed. That might mean landscapers, exterior cleaning companies, or interior cleaning services while the homeowner focuses on organizing and preparing the home. The goal is maximizing value.”
Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen in your career?
Mark: “By far, it was a hoarder situation. The garage was packed, the house was packed, and even the outside of the property was filled with stuff. It made the property extremely difficult to sell. We eventually got it to the finish line, but it definitely took a lot of work.”
The Shiny Bubble Takeaway
One theme kept coming up throughout our conversation with Mark: preparation matters. Whether it’s decluttering, exterior cleaning, landscaping, or fixing small maintenance issues before listing, homeowners who invest time upfront typically create stronger first impressions — and stronger offers.
Sometimes the difference between a home sitting on the market and selling quickly comes down to details buyers notice in the first few minutes.
Mark Plunkett, Realtor
@Properties
Cell: (630) 514-5000
Office: (630) 634-0700
Instagram: @plunkethomes
