Published on April 22, 2026
Great FSBO listings are built in the month before they go live, not after. Here is the 30-day runway we recommend.
Days 30–21: Documents
- Pull your deed, last two years of property tax statements, HOA documents, and permit records.
- Request a current payoff quote from your mortgage servicer — good for 30 days.
- Decide whether you will do a pre-listing inspection. (For homes over 20 years old, it usually pays for itself.)
Days 20–14: Repairs
Fix the obvious: the dripping faucet, the loose handrail, the bulb over the stairs. Do not start anything you cannot finish in a weekend.
Days 13–7: Declutter and paint
Empty closets to 50% full. Clear countertops. Repaint any wall color that is not neutral. Rent a storage unit if you need to.
Days 6–3: Deep clean + landscape
Professional deep clean of every room including baseboards. Mow, edge, trim, and mulch. This is what photos will capture.
Days 2–1: Photos + listing copy
Shoot on an overcast morning if possible — the light is even and kind to interiors. Write the listing copy the night before you go live, then sleep on it and edit once in the morning.