The market has shifted enough that the strategies that worked in 2025: price it, list it, watch the offers roll in… aren’t the whole picture anymore. Here is what is working right now:
1. Price to attract, not to negotiate.
In a market with more inventory and fewer sales than last year, an overpriced home doesn’t just sit, it risks losing credibility. Buyers notice how long a home has been listed, and the longer it sits, the more leverage shifts to them. A sharp list price generates more activity in the first two weeks than a price reduction ever will.
2. Your first seven days are your best days.
The launch window is everything. Buyers who are ready to move are watching new listings the moment they hit MLS. If your home isn’t photo-ready, staged, and priced correctly on day one, you risk giving up your best opportunity.
3. Staging is marketing, not decorating.
Buyers buy based on emotion and justify after based on logic. A well-staged home doesn’t just look better in photos, it helps buyers picture their life in the space, which is what actually gets an offer written. This doesn’t have to mean a full professional staging job. Sometimes it’s editing furniture, adding light, and making the space feel larger and calmer. I have 21 years of practical staging under my belt to help you do exactly this.
4. Your agent’s network matters before MLS does.
Some of the strongest offers never go public. My pre-launch package goes out to my buyer network, other agents, and relocation contacts before your sign goes in the ground. That pre-market activity builds momentum and sometimes produces an offer before you’ve had your first public showing.
5. Know your numbers before you name your price.
A great offer means something different depending on where you’re going next. If you’re buying in the same market, timing matters. If you’re downsizing, carrying costs and possession dates affect your bottom line more than the sale price alone. Knowing your full picture before you list means you can negotiate from a position of clarity instead of reacting to whatever comes in.
If any of this is making you think about your journey, I’m here for you!