Timeline at a Glance
| Phase | Typical Timing | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-listing | 2-4 weeks | Agent selection, repairs, staging, photography |
| Active listing | 1-8 weeks | Showings, open houses, offer collection |
| Under contract | 30-45 days | Buyer inspections, appraisal, title work |
| Closing | 1-2 hours | Document signing, fund transfer, key handoff |
Professionals You’ll Work With
Listing Agent
Markets your property, manages showings, negotiates offers, and coordinates the transaction through closing
Stager
Prepares your home to appeal to the broadest range of buyers
Photographer
Creates professional images and video for listing marketing
Home Inspector
Optional pre-listing inspection identifies issues before buyers discover them
Title Company
Handles earnest money, title search, and closing coordination
Tax Professional
Advises on capital gains, exclusions, and tax implications of the sale
Order of Operations
The sequence matters. Hiring professionals in the wrong order creates delays and limits options.1
Interview listing agents
Before doing anything else, select your listing agent. They’ll guide pricing, timing, and which improvements are worth making. Compare at least three agents before signing a listing agreement.
2
Complete repairs and improvements
Your agent will recommend which repairs affect sale price and which don’t matter. Focus on issues that appear in most inspection reports: roof, HVAC, water intrusion, electrical, and plumbing.
3
Stage and photograph
Professional staging and photography happen after repairs are complete. These marketing materials determine how many buyers see your listing and request showings.
4
Set price and go live
Your agent will provide a comparative market analysis. Pricing strategy affects how long the property sits and what offers you receive.
5
Review offers and negotiate
Evaluate offers based on price, terms, contingencies, and buyer qualification. Your agent negotiates on your behalf.
6
Navigate the contract period
Once under contract, the buyer conducts inspections and the lender orders an appraisal. Respond to repair requests and resolve any title issues that arise.
7
Close and transfer ownership
Sign closing documents, receive proceeds, and hand over keys. Your net proceeds arrive via wire transfer or check after all costs are deducted.
Common Mistakes Sellers Make
Overpricing based on emotional attachment
Overpricing based on emotional attachment
What you paid, what you’ve invested, and what the home means to you don’t determine market value. Overpriced homes sit longer and often sell for less than properly priced homes because buyers assume something is wrong.
Skipping pre-listing preparation
Skipping pre-listing preparation
Buyers notice deferred maintenance. Issues discovered during buyer inspections become negotiation points that reduce your net proceeds. Addressing problems before listing keeps you in control.
Choosing an agent based on highest price estimate
Choosing an agent based on highest price estimate
Some agents quote high prices to win listings, then pressure you to reduce later. Evaluate agents on marketing plan, experience, and track record rather than who promises the highest sale price.
Ignoring disclosure obligations
Ignoring disclosure obligations
Sellers must disclose known material defects. Failure to disclose can result in legal liability after closing. When in doubt, disclose.
Being unavailable for showings
Being unavailable for showings
Taking negotiations personally
Taking negotiations personally
Buyer requests for repairs or price reductions are normal parts of the process. Emotional reactions can derail deals that would have closed with calm negotiation.
What This Learning Path Covers
Each page walks through one stage of the home selling process. You’ll learn what happens, which professionals are involved, and what to evaluate when hiring them.Choosing a Listing Agent
Finding the right agent to represent your sale
Preparing Your Home
Getting the property ready for market
Pricing and Listing
Setting the right price and going to market
Reviewing Offers
Evaluating buyer offers and negotiating terms
Under Contract to Closing
What happens after accepting an offer
Tax Implications and Moving
Financial considerations and final steps
This learning path connects to detailed guides in the Service Categories section. After understanding the overall journey, use those guides to go deeper on any topic.