Congratulations, You’ve Decided to Sell Your Home!

You’re probably thinking, “What do I need to do to prepare?”
Don’t worry—I’ve got your back!

Before you dive into the checklist below, if you haven’t already read “The Home Selling Process and What to Expect”, I highly recommend checking it out first. It’ll give you the big-picture view of what’s coming, so you feel confident and in control every step of the way.

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🏡 Selling Your Home Isn’t Just Putting a Sign in the Yard

...and that’s just scratching the surface.

That’s why having a **Realtor like me** by your side makes all the difference. I’ll guide you through each step so you don’t have to guess or stress. Listening to your agent’s advice (especially early on) helps you attract more buyers, secure better offers, and close with the best possible terms.

🛠️ Steps to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Let’s make sure your home makes the best first impression—and stands out in today’s market.

1. **Start With a Deep Clean**

Think of it as giving your home a fresh start. Clean everything from baseboards to ceiling fans, and don’t forget areas like inside cabinets and appliances. A sparkling home sends the message that it’s been well cared for and move-in ready.
**Pro Tip:** If deep cleaning isn’t your favorite task, hiring a professional cleaning crew can be a game-changer.

2. **Declutter Your Home**

Pack away anything you don’t use daily. This includes personal photos, knick-knacks, off-season clothes, and excess furniture. Less clutter = more space, and more space = more appealing to buyers.

3. **Touch Up & Paint**

Neutral colors create a blank canvas buyers can imagine themselves in. Freshen up walls, baseboards, and high-traffic areas. If anything looks worn or bold, it’s probably time for a refresh.

4. **Finish Any Needed Updates**

Got that one doorknob that’s been loose for years? Or a faucet that drips? Now’s the time to handle those lingering to-do’s. Buyers notice everything—and small issues can give the impression the home hasn’t been well maintained.

5. **Eliminate Odors & Freshen the Air**

Buyers use all five senses during a showing. If your home smells like pets, food, or anything less-than-fresh, that could be a dealbreaker. Clean carpets, air out rooms, and consider adding a light, neutral scent like citrus or fresh linen.

6. **Boost Curb Appeal with Landscaping**

First impressions start at the curb. Trim overgrown bushes, mow the lawn, add fresh mulch, and maybe pop in a few flowers or plants. You don’t need a full garden overhaul—just make it neat, tidy, and welcoming.

7. **Stage It to Sell**

Staging doesn’t mean your home has to look like a magazine—it just means setting the stage for buyers to picture themselves living there. Fluff the pillows, add a cozy throw, set the dining table, and bring in some greenery or fresh flowers.

✅ Final Thoughts

Selling your home can feel like a lot—but it doesn’t have to. With the right preparation and the right agent (*hi, that’s me!*), the process becomes clear, manageable, and way less stressful.
Need help figuring out where to start? I offer personalized walk-throughs and checklists tailored to *your* home. Let’s set you up for success, together.

🏡 Let’s Talk Real Estate Compensation

Real estate compensations have been a hot topic lately—and for good reason.
How much do agents really make?
Why do they earn what they do?
Are compensations too high? Are they negotiable? Who pays what?

I get it—it can be confusing, especially now with shifts happening in the industry. So let’s break it down and talk about what’s really going on behind those compensation numbers you see at closing.

💬 Are Real Estate Compensation Negotiable?

Yes, compensations are negotiable! And every agent is going to charge their own amount.
But before we dive into how that works, let’s look at where the compensation actually goes

❗❗Spoiler alert: your agent doesn’t walk away with the whole thing.❗❗

🧾 The Breakdown of a Real Estate Compensation

Breakdown

When you see a compensation amount on a closing statement—say, $8,000—you might think your agent is cashing in big. But here's a more realistic breakdown of where that money goes:

1. Brokerage Split (10%–36%)

Let’s say the agent is on a 64/36 split with their brokerage. That means $2,880 of the $8,000 goes straight to the brokerage. This pays for:

Office space & utilities
Front desk/admin staff
Printers, scanners, and tech
Continuing education
Support, masterminds, and training

👉 The higher the brokerage support, the more resources the agent has to serve you better.

2. Transaction Management

Experienced agents often pay out of pocket for a transaction coordinator or admin to make sure everything is compliant, timelines are met, and nothing falls through the cracks.

3. Taxes (25%–30%)

Yes, agents are self-employed—so they set aside 25–30% for taxes.
From that $8,000 compensation, that could be another $2,000+ going straight to Uncle Sam.

4. Business Expenses (Marketing, Gas, Babysitters, etc.)

Another chunk—usually 30% or more—goes right back into running their business:

Gas for showings
Childcare during appointments
Marketing & advertising your home
Pop-by gifts and client appreciation
Closing gifts
CRM systems, lockboxes, professional photos, signage, etc.

So after all the splits, taxes, and reinvestments, the agent may actually keep less than 25–30% of the compensation for themselves.

🏠 So...Why Does This Matter?

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make.
You want someone who is:

Experienced
Educated
A great negotiator
Deeply invested in your success

You wouldn’t ask a nursing student to perform open-heart surgery.
You wouldn’t want a law student arguing your million-dollar case.
So when you hire a real estate professional, you want someone who’s not just “in the business,” but invested in YOU—with the tools, experience, and time to make your experience smooth and successful.

📊 Real Example:

Let’s go back to that $8,000 compensation example:

Brokerage (36%): $2,880
Taxes (25%): $2,000
Business Expenses (30%): $2,000
Take-Home Pay: Around $1,120

That’s less than you’d think, right?

👋 Final Thoughts

Real estate compensations aren't just a paycheck—they’re what powers an agent’s ability to serve their clients at a high level.
We wear a lot of hats: negotiator, project manager, market expert, emotional support system, and problem-solver.

💰 Let’s Talk Big Compensations: What About $700K+ Homes?

Luxury Homes Sales

So what about those big-ticket sales—homes selling for $700,000 or more, where the compensation might be $20,000+?
At first glance, it might seem like the agent is doing the same amount of work as they would for a $300K home—so why the bigger check?
Let’s break that myth.

🏡 Luxury Listings Take Luxury Marketing

When you're dealing with luxury real estate, you’re no longer just selling a house—you’re selling a lifestyle and an experience.
And everything about the process—from marketing to staging to showings—has to reflect that.

📽️ Professional Videography & Photography

Standard photos won’t cut it. Luxury homes often require:

Drone footage
Cinematic walk-through videos
Twilight shots
Lifestyle-focused visuals

These can cost thousands of dollars—and guess what? The agent typically pays for this upfront

🛋️ Staging & Styling

Staging a luxury home means creating a space that feels aspirational yet approachable. This could include:

Designer furniture rentals
Custom decor
Professional staging consultants

🍾 Upscale Open Houses & Events

A typical open house might include cookies and flyers.
A luxury open house? Totally different ballgame:

Catered food
Craft cocktails or wine
Live music or entertainment
Giveaways, valet parking, candles, custom signage

It’s about creating a brand experience that resonates with high-end buyers and sets the tone for the value of the home.

💸 Upfront Investment

Many luxury agents will invest $5,000–$10,000 of their own money to market a high-end listing—before the home even goes under contract.

Why? Because in this price point, presentation is everything, and first impressions matter more than ever.

💼 The Risk Factor

Let’s not forget: agents don’t get paid unless the home sells.
So when they put thousands of dollars into luxury marketing, they’re taking on real financial risk. If the home doesn’t sell, they don’t get reimbursed for any of it.

🔑 In Luxury, You're Hiring a Strategist, Not Just a Salesperson

With a luxury property, it’s not about sticking a sign in the yard and crossing fingers.
It’s about strategy:

Pricing analysis based on micro-market trends
Targeted advertising to reach luxury buyers
High-end negotiation skills
Concierge-level service from start to finish

So yes, bigger compensations come with bigger responsibilities, bigger investments, and a lot more pressure to deliver.

If you're hiring a seasoned agent to market and sell your high-end home, you're hiring someone who knows how to position it correctly, attract the right buyer, and create an experience worthy of your home’s value.

Have questions? Reach out to our team to help.

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How to Prepare to Sell your Home