Selling your home: what happens in the first 30 days.
By MaShay Curtis, REALTOR® · Selling · 6 min read · Real Estate Real Talk
Selling a home can feel like a lot of moving parts at once. It helps to know what's coming. Every sale is different, but here's how the first month of a well run listing usually unfolds.
Before you list: the plan
We start with a pricing conversation built on recent comparable sales near you, not wishful thinking. I'll show you the data, walk you through what similar homes sold for and why, and estimate what you'll walk away with after the payoff, commission and closing costs.
Then we make a short prep list. Usually that means small repairs, fresh presentation and a good declutter, not a renovation.
Week one: photos and launch
Professional photos and video come first, because buyers fall in love online before they ever walk in. Then the listing goes live on the MLS, which feeds the major home search sites, and out to my network and social audience.
Expect your first showing requests quickly. The first days on the market bring the biggest wave of attention, which is why pricing right from the start matters so much.
Week two: showings and feedback
Showings are scheduled around your life. After each one, I follow up with the buyer's agent for feedback, so we know what buyers love and what's holding anyone back. If there's an open house, it often lands this week.
Keep the home show ready: beds made, counters clear, lights on and pets planned for. It's a short sprint, and it pays.
Offers: comparing more than price
When offers arrive, we compare them on everything that matters: price, financing, earnest money, the due diligence period, closing date and any requests for concessions. Sometimes the strongest offer isn't the highest number. Then we negotiate for the best overall result.
Week three: under contract
Once you accept an offer, the buyer's due diligence period begins. The buyer usually schedules an inspection and may ask for repairs or a credit. I'll help you decide what to agree to and negotiate the rest.
Week four: appraisal and closing prep
If the buyer is financing, the lender orders an appraisal. The closing attorney works on title and paperwork while the buyer's loan moves toward final approval. This is when you line up movers, utilities and your next home.
Many financed sales close about 30 to 45 days after an offer is accepted. Then you sign, hand over the keys and move on to what's next.
Want more certainty?
If you need to know your home will sell, ask me about the Guaranteed Sale Program. Terms and conditions apply, and I'm happy to walk you through how it works and whether your home qualifies.