The listing you see online is the last step of a process that starts weeks earlier. Here’s what actually happens between “I think we want to sell” and launch day.
Weeks 6–4: strategy and the walk-through
We meet at the house. I walk every room and the exterior, and we talk about the buyer for this specific home — who they are, where they’re coming from, what they’ll compare it to. You get a prioritized prep list and a preliminary pricing conversation grounded in current comps. If Compass Concierge makes sense, we set it up now.
Weeks 4–2: preparation
Decluttering, paint, repairs, landscaping, deep cleaning. I coordinate vendors when you want me to and check in weekly. In the foothills, this is also when we gather well, septic and mitigation records. If a pre-listing inspection makes sense, it happens here.
Week 2: staging
Depending on the home, staging ranges from editing and rearranging what you already own to full professional staging of key rooms. Staged homes photograph better and help buyers understand how spaces live. I’ve seen it change outcomes too many times to skip it.
Week 1: photography and video
I use photographers who understand light, architecture and Colorado settings, and we shoot at the right time of day for your home — often twilight for exteriors with views. Video: a walk-through for the listing page and short-form content for social. Drone where the setting warrants it.
Days before launch: the story and the network
Original listing copy that tells the home’s story rather than reciting features. A Coming Soon window inside the Compass network and to my agent contacts where it helps build anticipation. Outreach to agents whose buyers’ saved searches match your home.
Launch day and after
Live on the MLS and every major portal, social campaigns, targeted digital ads, open house scheduled, showing instructions set. Then the part most agents skip: weekly review of showings and feedback with you, adjustments to presentation or price where needed, and continuous outreach until you’re under contract.
The full 16-step process is on my sellers page. If you’re thinking about selling in the next year, the best time to talk is now.