Selling Your Home? Here's a One-Year Countdown ​

Set your sales strategy. It’s time to work through the micro-details with your Realtor. Are you open to all offers? What happens if a buyer asks for fixes or is not approved for a mortgage? “As an older seller, you want contingencies that are in your favor,” McKeown explains. “You can specify you want only buyers who come preapproved for mortgages or who’ll pay in cash. This helps ensure the buyer won’t back out with their deposit at the last minute.”

Deep dive clean. Scour kitchens and bathrooms. They get the dirtiest, and potential buyers focus on these rooms the most. “Countertops, taps, sinks and bathtubs should be shiny and free of water spots,” Gould notes. “If you have a pedestal sink, don’t forget the dust that collects on top of the plumbing where it attaches to the wall.”

Photo shoot time! Your house sells on pictures. “Real estate photos are the new Sunday open house, since almost everyone will see your home for the first time in a real estate ad,” Stanton says. Your Realtor will likely hire a professional for this, but here are a few tips: Clear all counters. Move trash bins out of view. Low-hanging art makes ceilings look higher. Fresh flowers always add class.

Book a mover, and start packing. Get estimates from moving companies, and check their reviews, references and insurance. “You’d be surprised how many movers misrepresent themselves. Companies are out there without licenses or protections,” cautions Greg Gunderson, president of Gentle Transitions. Gather boxes, tape, packing materials and labels to begin packing up, moving things to a storage rental or pod. Focus first on heavy-volume clear outs (the attic, garage and basement), then move on to bedrooms and closets. “Get 75 percent out,” recommends hoarding expert Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff, published with AARP. “The potential buyer needs your home to look like they can fit their stuff in it, so storage areas and closets should be nearly empty.” Also, pare down what’s in kitchen cabinets to make those areas feel roomier, he says. “Only keep enough plates and cups for four to six people. The more space, the better.”

Get specialty cleaning done. Have the windows and exhaust fans professionally cleaned, for instance. Use a power washer to remove grime from driveways, patios, outdoor stairs and mildewy siding, or hire someone to do this.

Rehearse the crazy days to come. Open houses mean you and your pets need to clear out. And moving day is even busier. Recruit family and friends to help you cope with the craziness ahead. “You need to know where you’ll take your pet every time someone wants to view your home and who’s going to handle the dog or cat on moving day,” Gunderson points out.