Planning To Sell in 2027? Start Prepping Now.

If selling your house is on your calendar for 2027, you may be thinking you've got plenty of time. Maybe you're aiming for January. Maybe you're waiting for spring. Either way, next year probably feels far enough away that getting ready can wait, too.

But waiting until 2027 to sell doesn't mean waiting until 2027 to get started.

Today's buyers have more homes to choose from than they've had in years. So, if you want your house to stand out when it's time to list, a little preparation now can make a big difference later.

How Early Should You Start Getting Ready?

As a general rule of thumb, Zillow recommends giving yourself about 2-3 months to get your house ready to list. And that makes sense when you consider that the vast majority of sellers (78%) did at least one home improvement project before their house hit the market.

That gives you plenty of time to decide what to fix, find contractors, get on their schedules, actually make the updates, and get everything ready for photos and showings.

But don't worry - that doesn't mean every seller had some big to-do. The most common? Interior painting (see graph below):

And some of the most popular updates, like painting, can be done quickly. They can also make a big difference in how buyers see your home. That's because paint refreshes a space and makes it feel clean and move-in ready, without a big investment. So, this is a great place to start if you're wondering where to begin.

Start with the Small Stuff That Stands Out

When buyers are choosing between homes, little things can make a big difference in how your house shows. Many buyers are willing to pay more for a house that's updated and move-in ready. Some of the projects that can make a difference include:

  • Interior painting: Fresh paint makes a home feel clean, bright, and well cared for.
  • Curb appeal: This is the first thing buyers see. Simple fixes like fresh mulch, trimmed landscaping, and a clean entryway make a great first impression.
  • Decluttering and deep cleaning: Clearing out extra furniture and giving everything a deep clean makes rooms feel bigger and lets buyers picture themselves living there.
  • Minor repairs: Small fixes like leaky faucets, squeaky doors, or cracked tiles might seem minor. But when they start popping up during showings, they add up and make buyers wonder what else needs work.

Get Ahead of What Buyers Will Find

Before you list, it's a good idea to know what's going on with your home. That's where a pre-listing inspection can help. It's an inspection you order before putting your home on the market, so you can find out about any issues early and decide how to handle them.

A pre-listing inspection usually costs $300-600. But it can save you time and money later by helping you avoid surprises during the buyer's inspection, when negotiations can get tricky.

As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains, it's smart to tackle these items before listing your home so you're not negotiating them later under pressure:

  • Fix any small issues that could turn into bigger concerns
  • Make any necessary repairs before putting the house on the market
  • Do a final check to be sure everything's working properly

Starting early means you can handle these things on your timeline, not a buyer's. And, that can make the whole selling process a lot less stressful.

Bottom Line

If you're planning to sell in 2027, now is a great time to start getting your home ready, even if your move is still a few months away.

Small, smart updates now can help your house stand out in a market where buyers have more choices. Let's connect and talk about which projects would make the biggest difference for your home and your goals.