As the year winds down, many homeowners start thinking about their goals for the year ahead. If selling your home is on that list, here’s a little insider tip: the best time to start preparing isn’t January — it’s right now.​

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While most people wait until spring to list, the homeowners who start planning in late fall and early winter are the ones who often see the best results. Here’s why.

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1. You’ll Beat the Rush

The spring real estate market is famous for its surge of listings and you’ll be up against some competition. But by preparing your home now, you’ll be ready to hit the market early, when serious buyers are already looking but inventory is still low.
If you’re home is ready and waiting you’ll be competing amongst fewer homes meaning yours stands out more, and motivated buyers are often willing to pay a premium for move-in-ready properties available before the big rush.

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2. You Have Time to Make Strategic Improvements

Selling a home isn’t just about listing photos and open houses — it’s about presentation. Starting now gives you time to:

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• Tackle deferred maintenance projects

• Refresh paint, flooring, or landscaping

• Declutter and stage for maximum appeal

• Tidy up that pile of clutter in the garden that you’d been meaning to take to the skip

These small improvements can significantly increase your home’s value and attract more buyers. Starting in January often means rushing, cutting corners, or missing key opportunities to make your home shine.

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3. Contractors and Stagers Are Readily Available

Come spring, home improvement professionals, such as property stagers or cleaning and decorating companies book up quickly. But in late fall and winter, their schedules are more flexible, and you may even get better pricing. Getting ahead now means you can secure the best talent without delays.

 

4. You’ll Have a Strong Pricing Strategy

The housing market moves fast, and pricing your home correctly from day one is critical. By starting early, you and your agent can review recent comparable sales, track market trends, and craft a data-backed strategy that positions your home perfectly when it goes live.

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5. Buyers Are Still Out There

Contrary to popular belief, serious buyers don’t disappear in winter. Many need to move due to job changes, relocations, or life events — and they’re often eager to close quickly. Listing early in the year lets you connect with this motivated audience before spring’s influx of casual shoppers.

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6. You’ll Start the Year with Momentum

Getting your home ready to sell takes energy and planning. By starting now, you’ll enter the new year feeling organized and confident — not stressed and scrambling. When your home hits the market, it’ll already be show-ready, giving you a major head start over other sellers.

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7. Timing Matters — More Than You Think

Stats show that late winter/early spring is the peak selling season. But to be ready for a successful listing, you’ll need to start well before. Here’s a rough timeline of what that looks like:

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• Late Fall to Early Winter : Begin preparing — decluttering, deep cleaning, and scheduling any needed repairs or updates.

• December work with your agent on pricing strategy, professional photography, and staging. If you are in the really early stages of deciding whether you want to sell. Maybe think about getting your home photographed in the Summer for use in the Winter. We can arrange this for you at Snuggle Living.

• December/Jan Go live on the market — just ahead of the competition.

 

By starting in November or December, you’re perfectly positioned to list in late winter/spring, when demand starts climbing, but before inventory floods the market.

 

8. You’ll also need to consider the time it  takes for the sales process.

Even once your home is listed, the selling process isn’t instant. From listing to closing, here’s what a typical timeline looks like:

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• Time on Market: On average, homes take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to sell time is dependent on the market.

• Closing Period: Once you accept an offer, it usually takes 30 to 45 days for inspections, financing, and final paperwork to be completed.

• Chains – If a sale has a chain with numerous related sales this can also extend the sales time substantially.

 

That means from listing to closing, you’re looking at two to three months minimum — and that doesn’t even include the time it takes to get your home ready in the first place.

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So, if you want to be moved out and into your new snuggly home by  spring or early summer, the smart move is to start prepping now.

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The Bottom Line

If selling your home is one of your New Year’s goals, the time to start preparing is now.
From pre-listing improvements to pricing strategy and marketing prep, getting ahead of the curve can mean a faster sale, higher offers, and a smoother experience.

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