Preparing to Sell
How Early Should You Start Preparing to Sell Your Home?
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Timing is everything in real estate, and that includes your preparation timeline. Starting early gives you the best chance at a smooth, profitable sale.
3-6 Months Before Listing
- Research your market: Use Ridley Insights to understand current pricing trends and comparable sales in your area
- Make major repairs: Address any significant issues — roof, HVAC, plumbing — that could derail a sale
- Consider a pre-listing inspection: Discover and address issues before buyers do
- Start decluttering: Begin the process of removing excess items, donating, and organizing storage
1-2 Months Before Listing
- Sign up for Ridley: Get familiar with the platform, explore pricing tools, and start building your listing
- Complete cosmetic updates: Fresh paint, updated fixtures, landscaping improvements
- Deep clean: Professional cleaning of carpets, windows, and all surfaces
- Stage your home: Whether DIY or professional, prepare your home for photography
1-2 Weeks Before Listing
- Professional photography: Schedule through Ridley's vendor hub
- Finalize your listing: Complete property details, upload photos, write your description
- Prepare documents: Gather disclosures and other required paperwork
- Set your pricing strategy: Use Ridley's AI-powered tools for data-backed pricing
Launch Day
- Publish your listing: Go live on Ridley and distribute to major platforms
- Install yard sign: Every Ridley seller receives a sign with a QR code linking to your listing
- Start showing: Set up lockbox access and manage showing requests
The Bottom Line
We recommend signing up for Ridley a few weeks before you want your home to go live. This gives you time to develop a pricing strategy, prepare your home, and organize your documents — all with Ridley's AI-powered guidance every step of the way.