What do I need to do to list my house for sale?

Written By 
BY Scott Moore, Group Leader & REALTOR | March 6, 2026

If you are thinking about selling, you know the secret to a smooth (and successful) sale is preparation.

From find the right realtor, to decluttering and deep cleaning to staging and final touch-ups, each week counts.

I have put together a step-by-step checklist that breaks it down so you know exactly what to focus on to make your home market-ready and buyer-approved. 

8 Weeks Away: Make a Plan

  1. Go through your home room-by-room and make a list of every single thing that needs attention (or, call us and our home stylist will come over and go through our 10-page checklist with you)

  2. If you identify anything that needs a professional, schedule your contractors now

  3. If you think you’ll need a POD or storage locker, arrange that now

  4. Call your realtor and arrange a meeting to discuss pricing, strategy and timing

7-5 WEEKS AWAY: Reduce & Make Space

  1. Work through your room-by-room list

  2. Reduce the contents of each closet and cupboard in your house by at least 25%, preferably more

  3. Clean out and organize your garage, utility room, and storage areas & store off-season items off-site, if possible

  4. You will likely be making very regular trips to drop-off donations and/or garbage!

4 WEEKS AWAY: Add & Improve

  1. Take a second look at the house, room by room. This time, make a list of what needs to be added: Fresh bedding? Artwork? A bouquet of flowers?

  2. Take a look at the exterior landscaping and curb appeal. What can you improve?

  3. Book interior and exterior window cleaning and carpet cleaning for the week before list date. Both are pricey, but very impactful.

2 WEEKS AWAY: Refine & Get Ready

  1. Finish off any jobs on your lists

  2. Deep clean the home: baseboards, light fixtures, wash walls and light switches, furnace filter, etc

  3. Make sure every light has a light bulb (inside and out of the home)

  4. Make arrangements for pets while the house will be listed

  5. Book an interior cleaning just prior to your photo shoot (or if you’re using us, we’ll send our cleaners)

1 WEEK AWAY: The Calm Before the Storm

  1. Clean your fridge and appliances inside and out

  2. Stock up on easy low-mess food options for while the home will be listed

  3. Get display linens & bathmats that will be put out for showings and won’t be used

  4. Get all the laundry done & put away

  5. Remove everything from the counters (yes, even the coffee maker and toaster)

EVERY DAY ONCE LISTED: Your Morning Routine

  1. Make all beds

  2. Put away any clutter

  3. Put away used towels, replace with clean towels

  4. Make sure all counters are clean

  5. Sweep or vaccuum if needed

  6. Leave lights on

  7. If it’s winter, leave gas or electric fireplaces on

  8. Turn up the heat or AC depending on the season- the house should feel pleasantly warm in winter and refreshingly cool in summer

Listing your home is a lot of work, and takes a toll on your family. When you’re working this hard on your end, you owe it to yourself to hire an excellent realtor who is also doing everything on their end. At The Moore Group, we have the skills and experience to get you a profitable sale that gets your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Please call me now at, 204-995-7355 to learn more and get the process started.

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