How to Prepare your home for Successful Listing

First impressions matter! A sparkling home instantly tells buyers the property has been well-maintained.

• Clean floors, baseboards, walls, windows, light switches, and fixtures.
• Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms—they're often the selling points on homes! If cleaning isn’t your strong suit, hiring a professional is absolutely worth the investment.
• Pay attention to unpleasant, pet related, or other pungent, as they leave a bad first impression on those who enter your home.

Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home, not feel like they’re walking through the life of someone else. You can depersonalize the space by:

• Removing family photos and personal collections.
• Clearing countertops and opening up surfaces.
• Simplifying closets and storage areas.

Think of it as pre-packing for your move.

Little changes make a big impact! Fix leaky faucets, touch up chipped paint, replace burnt-out lightbulbs, patch holes, and tighten that wobbly doorknob you’ve ignored for years. These small fixes prevent buyers from speculating further issues that will manifest later on from delayed or avoided maintenance. 

A fresh coat of paint or installation of flooring in a neutral tone instantly modernizes your home and appeals to a wider range of buyers. Soft grays, warm whites, or light beiges on any surface create a clean, move-in-ready feel! 

The exterior sets the tone before a buyer even steps inside.

• Trim shrubs and trees
• Add fresh mulch or seasonal flowers
• Power-wash the driveway or porch
• Clean or paint the front door

Small outdoor touches can make buyers excited before they cross the threshold, many will drive by your property to view before their showing appointment even begins.

Buyers love bright, open rooms!

• Open blinds and curtains
• Use higher-wattage bulbs where appropriate
• Rearrange furniture

In many cases, removing a few pieces of furniture can make a room feel much larger.

The right price attracts the right buyers. Overpricing can cause your home to sit on the market, leading buyers to assume something’s wrong or prompting low-ball offers. Underpricing may leave money on the table, leaving your pockets depleted. Choosing a reasonable price from the start is essential!

• Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): Reviewing recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood.
• Current Market Trends: Analyzing supply and demand, average days on market, and local buyer behavior.
• Home Condition & Upgrades: Adjusting for unique features, renovations, or deferred maintenance.
• Seasonal Timing: Understanding how the time of year impacts buyer activity and pricing.

Buyers shop online first, which means they can compare your home’s price to others instantly. When your listing aligns with market expectations, buyers perceive value and schedule showings. If the price feels inflated or unreasonable, they may skip it entirely.

Strategic pricing encourages:

• More online views
• More showings
• Faster offers
• More negotiation power

Marketing a home starts online-- a great listing in the MLS with quality photos and 

a well-written description is the first line of marketing. Listings on all of the home sites on the web display the information provided to the MLS from the listing agent. This means that your MLS should be well presenting, as it has a very large audience! Other ways to market your home include:

• Placing yard signs out front of the home to catch the attention of passerby
• Using social media marketing to reach a vast audience
• Hosting open houses to draw the attention of buyers

All of these costs will vary on a home to home basis, on top of the contract agreed upon between the buying and selling parties. This is just a guide for what COULD be paid.

Sellers often pay certain closing fees depending on state, local regulations, and the purchase agreement itself. Common seller-paid closing costs include:

In many states, sellers pay for the buyer’s title insurance policy to guarantee clear ownership.

This covers the cost of the neutral third party handling the transaction and funds.

Cities, counties, or states may charge transfer taxes or recording fees when property changes ownership.

If the property is in an HOA, expect:

• Transfer fees
• Document fees
• Dues prorated through closing

Costs for recording necessary documents with the county.

In total, seller closing costs can range from 1% to 3% of the sale price, depending on your location.

All of these costs will vary by home and the contract agreed on between the buying and selling parties-- this is just a guide for what COULD be paid.

Commission is usually the largest expense for a home seller.
This fee covers the work of  the listing agent.

Commission rates vary by market and service level, including room for negotiation, but they generally include:

• Pricing strategy and market analysis
• Marketing and advertising
• Photography and listing preparation
• Showings, negotiations, and contract management
• Guidance through inspections, appraisal, and closing

While commission is negotiable, hiring a skilled agent often results in a higher sale price and a smoother process overall.

During inspection and negotiation, sellers often incur costs such as:

• Repairs requested by the buyer
• Credits in lieu of repairs
• Price reductions prompted by inspection findings

Some sellers may agree to pay part of a buyer's closing cost or a portion of their buyer's real estate agent commission when reviewing a residential purchase agreement (offer on home).

The first 24–72 hours are typically the busiest.
Your listing will:

• Appear on the MLS
• Syndicate to major sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin
• Get promoted through social media, emails, and agent networks

Expect a spike in online views, inquiries, and showing requests, especially if the home is well-priced and photographed beautifully. This early momentum is powerful—and often leads to your first showings.

After your listing goes live, showing requests usually begin quickly. Here’s what to expect:

• Frequent or back-to-back showings, especially during the first week
• Requests with short notice, depending on buyer demand
• Keeping the home clean and show-ready as much as possible
• Occasional inconveniences—like leaving the home for showings—but they’re temporary and worthwhile

Flexibility is key. The more accessible your home is, the faster the right buyer walks through the door

Your agent may host public open houses. These help increase visibility and generate interest from qualified buyers. While open houses don’t guarantee offers, they greatly expand your reach and feedback.

After showings, agents often provide feedback such as:

• What buyers liked
• What concerns they had
• How the price compares to others they’ve seen
• Whether they’re considering an offer

Not all buyers give feedback, but when they do, it’s valuable. You and your agent can decide whether adjustments are needed—whether to presentation, pricing, or small improvements.

Every market behaves differently, so your home’s activity level can tell you a lot:

• High traffic and interest? Great—your home is priced correctly!
• Limited showings or no offers after 2–3 weeks? The market may be signaling that pricing or presentation needs review.

Your agent will monitor analytics, feedback, and competing listings to determine if any adjustments are needed to keep momentum strong.

One of the most exciting moments! Offers may come in quickly or take time depending on market conditions. When an offer arrives, you can:

• Accept the offer
• Counter the offer
• Decline the offer
• Let the offer expire

Your agent will walk you through terms, contingencies, timelines, and how well the offer aligns with your goals.

Expect back-and-forth conversations about:

• Price
• Closing date
• Seller concessions
• Repairs or credits
• Included appliances or furnishings

A good agent will protect your interests, keep emotions calm, and provide strong guidance through each decision.

After accepting an offer, you move into the escrow phase. Here’s what generally happens:

Buyers typically hire an inspector. You may receive repair requests or credit requests afterward.

If the buyer is using a loan, the bank orders an appraisal to confirm the value supports the purchase price. Your agent helps navigate any value disputes or appraisal gaps.

Legal documents, HOA paperwork, and disclosures are prepared and reviewed

• Final documents are signed
• Funds are transferred
• The deed is recorded
• Keys are handed over

Once recording is confirmed, the home officially belongs to the buyer—and you can celebrate your sale!