Your home is only new to the market once. The first two weeks bring the most showings and the strongest offers, so the work you do before launch matters more than anything you do after it. Here's the order we walk sellers through.
Weeks four and three: decide what's worth doing
Walk the house with your agent before you spend a dollar. Some projects return more than they cost; most don't. The ones that usually pay off are small:
- Paint in a light, neutral color where walls are scuffed or bold.
- Fix what an inspector will flag: leaky fixtures, sticky doors, missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Light: replace dead bulbs and match color temperatures room to room.
- Curb appeal: trim, fresh mulch, a clean front door and working exterior lights.
Large remodels rarely make sense this close to listing. Your agent can price the home with and without a project so you can decide with real numbers.
Week two: clear, clean and stage
Pack a third of what's on shelves and counters. Buyers need to picture their own things in the space. Deep-clean windows, grout and carpets, and plan where pets and valuables will go during showings.
Week one: photos, video and paperwork
Professional photography happens once the house is ready, not before. Gather what buyers and escrow will ask for: HOA documents, permits for past work, warranties, utility costs and any recent inspection or repair receipts. California sellers also complete a set of disclosures, and starting early keeps the escrow calm later.
Launch
Plan the first weekend around the listing going live: open house, agent preview and your schedule for showings. Then let the market tell you what it thinks in the first ten days, and adjust together.