Is It Too Soon to Start Prepping Your Home to Sell? Ultimate Moving Calendar!

Hi, it’s me—Kati. I help homeowners just like you get your homes ready for market the right way—without the stress and without leaving money on the table.

Let me be very clear: it’s never too early to start planning. Whether you're six years out or six weeks away from putting that "For Sale" sign in the yard, what you do now can absolutely impact your bottom line later.

Here’s the Ultimate Moving Calendar I Recommend:

2+ Years Away? Think Strategically, Not Emotionally

If you’re more than two years out, the only updates you should be considering are those you want to enjoy—not just to sell. That kitchen renovation? If it’s for your lifestyle, go for it. But if it's purely for resale, hit pause until you speak with a local agent.

Start early with:

• Selling or donating large furniture you won’t move with

• Decluttering personal items and collections

• Observing market trends in your area

• Exploring where you might want to move next (you can’t sell until you know where you're going!)

1–2 Years Out: Start Your Seller Strategy

This is when we switch gears from someday to strategy. Here’s where I recommend you:

• Download my Seller’s Playbook—a free guide I created outlining the 5 key pillars to sell your home faster and for more money.

• Become a student of your local market. Study photos, staging, and most importantly—sold prices, not list prices.

• Take note of what upgrades local buyers expect and what they don’t care about.

• Begin scouting new homes. Many sellers assume downsizing is easy… until they realize their ideal home doesn’t exist in the current market.

12 Months Out: Call in the Professionals

It’s time to bring in your real estate agent. Yes—one year out.

Why?

• You need a realistic idea of your home’s value (not just what you hope it’s worth).

• A professional can help you understand which updates will actually give you a return and which to skip entirely.

• They can refer trusted vendors and even staging consultants early on.

You don’t need to list right away, but the earlier you're aligned with the right agent, the less overwhelmed you'll feel later.

6 Months Out: Go Time

• Decluttering kicks into high gear. This is when you start pre-packing, donating, and simplifying your space.

• Remove loud decor and oversized furniture. Buyers want to see potential, not personality.

• Start interviewing movers and understand lead times. Popular dates book fast.

3 Months Out: Final Touches Begin

• Agent relationship should be in full swing.

• Time to get real about pricing strategies based on market data.

• Repairs and deferred maintenance must be addressed. Broken things turn off buyers—fast.

4 Weeks Out: Deep Clean + Stage

• Professional photos get scheduled now.

• Power washing, window cleaning, carpet cleaning—this is not the time to cut corners.

• Get your garage or storage area organized for boxes and bins. You’ll need a system that allows you to quickly “hide” your everyday life for showings.

1 Week Before List Day: Final Checks

• Final walkthrough with your agent.

• Social media teaser posts should go live (tag your agent—not just “DM me!”).

• Start mentally preparing for showings and the emotional side of saying goodbye to your home.

On Market → Under Contract

If you’ve done all the right prep, you could be under contract within 30–45 days, depending on your market. After that, expect another 30–60 days until closing.

Inspection and negotiations will come fast. This is where emotional decisions cost real money. Stay calm, stay strategic. Your agent should guide you through it all.

Preparing to sell your home is a marathon—not a sprint. But if you map out your timeline now (even if you’re two years away), you'll be amazed at how smooth and successful the process can be.

Need help finding a qualified local agent? Or want access to my free Seller’s Playbook? I’m just a message away—and yes, I really do answer my emails and Facebook group comments.