If you’re planning to list your home just after Labor Day to capitalize on Denver’s second most active market, you’ve got plenty of time to get your house whipped into shape. With a little preparation, you’ll have your home looking its best to attract buyers. Here’s your step-by-step weekly checklist to to prepare your home for the fall market.
Week 1: Declutter Your Home
Start by decluttering every room. Not only does this give you a head start on packing, but it also helps your agent understand what you’ll be working with when it’s time to stage. You don’t want to waste time later explaining what you plan to get rid of. If you’re unsure whether an item should stay or go, create a staging pile in your basement or garage, or make a list of questions for your agent.
- Purge unnecessary items: Go through closets, drawers, and shelves. Donate or discard anything you no longer need.
- Remove personal items: Take down family photos, religious or political items, and anything that could distract buyers.
- Organize: Neatly arrange books, knick-knacks, and furniture to make spaces feel open and inviting.
Pro Tip: Some sellers burn out while going through their closets. While a cleaned-out closet is great and helps buyers envision themselves in the space, don’t overdo it if there are repairs or updates that need to be addressed.
Week 2: Meet with Your Agent for Staging Consultation
Now that your home is decluttered, it’s time for a professional’s input. During this week, we’ll meet to discuss your home’s strengths and areas for improvement. I’ll provide advice on staging and where to focus your efforts for the best return.
- Staging consultation: We’ll decide which rooms need the most attention and where you can add touches to enhance appeal.
- Discuss necessary repairs: We’ll address any repairs that should be completed before the home goes on the market.
- Strategize on pricing: We’ll talk about market conditions and set a listing price that will attract buyers.
Pro Tip: Be clear with your agent about how much time, energy, and budget you have for updates. If you’re not interested in doing much work, let them know. If you’re willing to invest in staging and decor upgrades, share that too.
Week 3: Shop for Staging Items
With our staging plan in place, it’s time to gather the items that will help make your home shine.
- Shop for neutral, fresh items: Look for new towels, shower curtains, bedding, or neutral throw pillows to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Invest in simple, clean decor: You may also want to buy new floor mats, candles, or subtle decor pieces to enhance the space.
- Consider temporary furniture rentals: If needed, we can discuss renting furniture for empty rooms or making small upgrades.
Pro Tip: Work with an agent who will provide feedback as you go. You should feel comfortable texting a picture of an area rug or paint color to your agent to ensure you’re on the right track.
Week 3: Shop for Staging Items
Cleaning is a crucial step to ensure your home is in its best condition before showings begin.
- Deep clean the interior: This includes floors, windows, baseboards, light fixtures, and anything else that needs a good scrub. Pay attention to kitchen and bathroom details!
- Boost curb appeal: Clean up the exterior of your home. Trim trees, bushes, and mow the lawn. Consider power washing the driveway, siding, or deck to make everything look fresh.
- Tidy outdoor spaces: Remove any clutter from porches, patios, and walkways. Add simple touches like a new doormat or planters to make the entrance more inviting.
Pro Tip: Hire a cleaning crew. Yes, they can be expensive, but they’ll catch things you might miss.
Week 5: Final Walk-Through and Preparation for Photography
It’s time to put the finishing touches on your home before we go live on the market.
- Final walk-through with your agent: We’ll go room-by-room to ensure everything is staged correctly and that no details have been overlooked.
- Final cleaning: Do one last sweep to ensure everything is spotless.
- Photography and video: We’ll schedule a professional photographer to capture high-quality images and video of your home for listings and marketing materials.
- Install a lockbox and sign: We’ll set up a lockbox for easy access during showings and place a sign on your property.
Pro Tip: Think of each room as a snapshot. Look at it from the photographer’s perspective. Most photos are taken at a lower angle, so pay attention to your bed skirts, how towels are arranged, and how your cords will look in photos.
Time to List!
Everything is ready, and it’s time to officially list your home.
- Review Your Listing: Make sure your listing has all the information correct and includes all the features of your home. Let your agent know if there are any additions or changes.
- Help Get the Word Out: Share your beautiful walk-through video with friends, family and ask them to share on social media.
- Go live: With everything in place, your home will be listed and ready for showings!
Pro Tip: Work with an agent who does pre-listing marketing to drive traffic to your Open House in the first week. This will help build momentum and concentrate interested buyers during the first weekend on the market, limiting the number of showings you’ll need to prepare for.
By following this 6-week to-do list, you’ll ensure your home is market-ready and positioned to stand out in the competitive fall market. Need help with any of these steps? I’m here to guide you through the process and help you get the best possible result!