Most sellers ask “how much should I spend before listing?” The answer is rarely zero, and rarely a full remodel. Here is the playbook I use with every client.
Week 1: Inspection and Triage
Pre-listing inspections flag the items that buyers will ask about. Knowing what is on the report lets us decide what to fix, what to disclose, and what to credit at closing.
Week 2: Targeted Repairs and Staging
The big-ROI repairs are paint, landscaping, and any safety items flagged by the inspector. Then a professional stager comes in to layer in furniture and decor that matches the buyer profile for the neighborhood.
Week 3: Photography and Launch
Twilight photography, drone shots, and a 3D walkthrough are now table-stakes for any home over $700K. We launch midweek with coordinated social and email pushes to maximize first-weekend traffic.