So, you’ve decided to list your home on the market and finally finished the paperwork. Congratulations on taking this first step! Now, what do you need to know about what comes next? 

This guide walks you through the first week of listing your home and what you can expect. We’ll cover three main topics: preparing for showings and open houses, marketing your home, and staying informed. 

What does it mean to list your house?

Listing your house means formally offering it up for sale or rent. You would list the property with a real estate agent, who would put it on the market and help you to find potential buyers or tenants. This often involves creating an advertisement, marketing the property, negotiating with interested parties, and facilitating transactions.

Does it cost money to list your house?

Yes, it can cost money to list your house. Depending on the service you use, you may be charged a fee and commission fees once the home is sold. You may also need to pay for professional photos and staging. There may even be additional fees associated with advertising listings and closing costs. Before listing a property, these factors should be considered, so it is important to research and compare the costs of different services.

Preparing for Showings and Open Houses

When listing your home, showings and open houses are one of the most important elements. Because potential buyers will be coming to view your property, it’s important to take the appropriate steps to ensure your home looks as inviting as possible. 

What Should I Do To Prepare? 

The best way to ensure your home is ready for potential buyers is to do a thorough deep clean - top to bottom. Pay special attention to any areas that may have been overlooked in regular cleanings, and deep clean the carpets if needed. Additionally, declutter your home by removing unnecessary items and cleaning up visible messes. 

You want potential buyers to be able to envision themselves living in your space, so make sure that no personal items are visible. Consider renting a storage unit for furniture or items unused during showings or open houses. 

Another key element of preparation is “staging.” You don’t necessarily need to invest in expensive renovations or furniture, but simply rearranging furniture and adding décor items and accent pieces like wall art or rugs can help make a huge difference in how inviting your home looks and feels. 

How Often Will Showings Occur? 

It depends on the market, but generally, you can expect showings every other day or so in the beginning; this might be more frequent in a hot market. As it gets closer to closing, showings become less frequent, but overall, it varies based on how much interest there is in your property. 

Do I Need To Leave For Showings? 

The best practice is to leave during showings or open houses, allowing potential buyers to feel more comfortable exploring the home without feeling self-conscious or rushed. If leaving is difficult for you, consider talking with your realtor about hosting “private showings” where you would be present during viewings but could explain features of your home or answer any questions a potential buyer may have.  

Marketing Your Home

Now that you’re ready for showings and open houses, it’s time to start marketing your property! The more people that know about your home, the more likely you are to find someone interested in buying it. Here are some tips for marketing your property effectively: 

What Types Of Advertising Should I Invest In? 

Listing websites, newspapers locally & regionally, property magazines, and social media promotion Facebook & Instagram are all great forms of advertising that you can use for your listing. Marketing efforts should be tailored towards those interested in buying property in the area. Consider creating targeted ads or promotional materials specifically tailored toward those who could potentially be interested in buying your home. 

In addition to online platforms, there are other effective ways of reaching out directly to buyers, such as advertising at local events (farmer’s markets or fairs). You can also advertise through community message boards or local organizations such as churches or civic clubs. Additional fees are usually associated with these types of outreach efforts, so consult with a realtor before investing in them.  

Staying Informed 

Once you’ve got all your advertising squared away and viewings underway, it’s important to stay informed on any updates surrounding the sale of your property so you can make informed decisions. Your real estate agent should provide regular updates on any progress made, e.g., the number of showings, interest levels, and any feedback from buyers regarding the property, positive or negative. 

Ensure you keep up with all this information, so it doesn’t slip through the cracks - take notes on conversations with buyers or agents and follow up with any questions when needed. Doing this will help you stay one step ahead and prepared for negotiations if an offer does come through!  

What day of the week is best to list a house?

Thursday is the best day to list a house. This is because Thursdays are typically the beginning of a busy weekend, and potential buyers will be looking for homes. Additionally, listing on Thursday allows more time to market the property through social media and online classifieds before the weekend rush. 

This gives sellers a head start on getting their listing seen by as many people as possible before the weekend. Lastly, Thursday makes it more likely that buyers can attend an open house and get a better feel for the property.

Conclusion

Listing your home can be exciting and overwhelming - especially if it’s your first time doing so! During this period, prospective buyers will likely be touring your home, taking into account the house's features and the surrounding area as they make their decisions. As a seller, you should prepare accordingly by ensuring that all necessary paperwork is in order and that your home is show-ready when potential buyers view it. With proper preparation and consulting with a real estate agent when necessary, you should have no problem navigating through this process easily and finding a buyer who loves your home just as much as you do! Contact for more information.