How Long Does It Take to Get Your Home Ready to Sell? A Complete Pre-Listing Timeline
Last Updated on May 22, 2025 by Patricia Omishakin
How Long Does It Take to Get Your Home Ready to Sell? A Complete Pre-Listing Timeline
Selling your home is a major decision—and how you prepare for it can make a big difference in how quickly it sells and how much money you make. One of the most common questions homeowners ask is:
“How long will it take to get my home ready for the market?”
This article breaks down the complete pre-listing timeline—from the initial consultation to the day the home goes live on the MLS—so sellers can move forward with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re planning to sell in a few weeks or several months, understanding this process will help you move forward with confidence.
Thinking about selling your home but not sure when or how to get started?
Watch this quick video where I walk you through the timeline for getting your home market-ready—and how to avoid costly mistakes by listing too soon.
📺 Watch the Video: “Timelines Before Listing a Home”
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Planning
The journey begins with a consultation. This is when we meet to discuss your goals, your timeline, and the current market conditions in your area.
At this meeting, we’ll:
- Walk through your home together
- Identify areas that may need attention before listing
- Talk through your desired sale price and timing
- Create a custom plan to prepare and market your home
Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll sign a listing agreement, which allows us to officially begin the pre-listing process.
Step 2: Professional Home Staging Consultation
One of the most valuable steps in the timeline is staging your home for maximum appeal. As part of my service, I’ll schedule a professional staging consultation at no cost to you.
During this appointment, the stager will provide expert recommendations tailored to your home, such as:
- Furniture placement for optimal flow
- Removing or rearranging decor
- Neutralizing the space so buyers can imagine themselves living there
Depending on your needs, we also offer partial staging to enhance key areas of the home and make a lasting impression.
Step 3: Deep Cleaning, Decluttering, and Minor Repairs
Before professional photography or showings begin, your home should be in show-ready condition. That means:
- Deep cleaning (floors, baseboards, windows, vents, etc.)
- Decluttering every room
- Depersonalizing by removing personal photos and memorabilia
- Making minor repairs (patching holes, updating fixtures, refreshing paint)
These small updates go a long way in helping your home stand out online and in person. Buyers notice the details, and a well-maintained, move-in-ready home always attracts more interest.
Step 4: Professional Photography and Video
Once your home is staged and spotless, we’ll schedule professional photography and videography. High-quality visuals are essential for online marketing, especially since over 90% of buyers start their home search online.
We’ll highlight your home’s best features, showcase its layout and upgrades, and create media that captivates potential buyers from the moment they see your listing.
Step 5: Marketing Strategy and Online Exposure
A lot of agents simply post your home on the MLS and call it a day. That’s not how I work.
I implement a strategic digital marketing plan to ensure your home reaches the right audience across multiple platforms, including:
- Facebook and Instagram ads
- Google ads
- YouTube video tours
- Featured listings on top real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin
This comprehensive approach generates more views, more interest, and ultimately, stronger offers.
Step 6: Pre-Listing Inspections and Disclosures
Before we officially go live, we’ll also go over whether it makes sense to do a pre-listing home inspection. This can uncover issues early, allowing you to address them before buyers see the home or negotiate repairs later.
We’ll also complete all necessary seller disclosures so buyers are fully informed. This transparency builds trust and helps streamline the transaction process.
Step 7: Going Live on the MLS
Once everything is in place—staging, photos, video, and marketing materials—we’ll publish your home on the MLS and all major real estate sites.
At this point, buyer’s agents will begin scheduling showings, and it’s important to be as flexible as possible to accommodate them. The easier it is to show your home, the faster we can generate offers.
How long it takes to sell depends on:
- Market conditions
- Your home’s condition and pricing
- How well it’s marketed
But with the right preparation and strategy, we’ll position your home to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Next Step: Determining the Right Price for Your Home
Now that you understand the timeline for listing your home, the next step is pricing it correctly. Overpricing can cause your home to sit on the market, while underpricing could mean leaving money on the table.
👉 Watch the next video in this series to learn how we determine the best price for your home using data, market trends, and buyer behavior.
And if you’re ready to get started or want a personalized timeline for your home sale…
📞 Let’s Chat!
I’d love to help you plan the best possible launch for your home sale.
✅ Call or text me today at 615-730-0037
✅ Visit sellwithpat.com for free resources and seller guides
✅ Or book a strategy session to discuss your timeline
Frequently Asked Questions About Listing Timelines
1. How far in advance should I start preparing my home before listing?
Ideally, you should start the pre-listing process at least 30 to 60 days before your desired listing date. This allows enough time for staging, cleaning, repairs, marketing prep, and scheduling professional photography.
2. What if my home is already vacant—do I still need staging?
Yes! Even in a vacant home, strategic staging helps buyers visualize how to use the space. Vacant rooms often feel smaller, and staging creates warmth, scale, and flow that can emotionally connect with buyers.
3. Do I have to do everything you recommend before going live?
Not at all. I’ll work with your budget and timeline to prioritize what will make the biggest impact. Even a few low-cost updates—like paint, lighting, or curb appeal—can boost your home’s value and help it sell faster.
4. How long does professional photography and video take?
The appointment itself typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the home. After that, editing and delivery can take 24 to 48 hours, so we usually schedule this 1 week before going live to ensure everything is ready for marketing launch.
5. Can I list my home while still making updates?
It’s possible, but not ideal. You only get one chance to make a first impression—especially online. Buyers form opinions within seconds, so it’s better to complete your key updates first and then launch the listing with strong photos and a polished presentation.
6. What if I need to sell quickly? Can we shorten the timeline?
Yes. I’ve helped many sellers list their homes within just a few days, but that requires excellent communication and rapid decision-making. If you need to sell fast, we’ll create a condensed plan that focuses on the essentials to get your home on the market quickly and competitively.
7. What’s the best time of year to list a home?
While spring and early summer are traditionally the hottest seasons, homes sell year-round with the right preparation and strategy. What matters more than the season is how your home shows, how it’s priced, and how it’s marketed.
Ready to Sell? Get My Free Seller Guide!
This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know to sell your home with confidence and get top dollar.
