Why Planning Ahead Is The Most Important Step In Selling Your House

On the latest episode of the Agent Apprentice Podcast—where I sit down with Adam Dow every couple of weeks to break down what’s happening in the New Hampshire real estate market, discuss strategies I’m implementing in my own business, and learn from one of the industry’s best—we focused on seller timing and how to properly prepare a home for the market.

If you’re even thinking about selling, this is a conversation you’ll want to start sooner than you probably expect.

Why Timing Matters More Than You Think

When planning to sell your home, one of the most effective strategies is to build your timeline backward. Historically in New Hampshire, June sees the highest number of home sales, so let’s use that as an example.

If your goal is to have your home sold, closed, and funds in the bank by June, that means:

• The property likely went under contract in April or May, since most transactions take 30–60 days to close.
  
  
• Which means the home probably went active on the market in March or early April.
  
  

Many sellers reach out in March or April ready to list immediately—and while we can certainly do that, there’s a big difference between listing quickly and listing smart.

Listing Smart Starts with Preparation

To truly optimize your sale and maximize your outcome, I recommend meeting with our team one to two months before your target listing date. This allows time for a thoughtful preparation process rather than a rushed one.

That preparation can include:

• Maintenance and minor repairs - that help reduce buyer objections
  
  
• Decluttering and organization - to make the home feel more spacious
  
  
• Staging guidance - often as simple as rearranging existing furniture
  
  
• Strategic upgrades or improvements - when they make financial sense
  
  

When we walk through your home together, we’ll help identify which items are worth addressing—and just as importantly, which ones aren’t. That insight alone can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

A Better Experience, Better Results

Giving yourself a month or two to prepare benefits everyone involved. Buyers appreciate a well-presented, move-in-ready home, which can lead to stronger offers and a better sales price. And for you as the seller, it helps avoid last-minute scrambling and burnout—because moving is already stressful enough without piling everything into the final week.

The bottom line: the best sales don’t happen by accident—they happen by design. Planning ahead gives you control, confidence, and options.

If selling is on your radar, let’s start the conversation early and make sure you’re positioned to win when the time is right.

Thinking about moving to New Hampshire?

📲 Call/Text: 603-451-6126

📧Email: Tyler@TheDowGroup.com

🖥️Website: TheDowGroup.com

📱Instagram: @TheDowGroup & @TylerRunnals_ 

📱Facebook: The Dow Group - Keller Williams Realty


Helpful Resources:

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