What Happens at a Pre-Listing Walk-Through?

What happens at a pre-listing walk-through with an agent?
We walk through your home and see it the way a buyer will. We also look at the market, the competition, and your goals, so you leave with a plan instead of a pile of guesses.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

It is the Assess step of The White Glove Home Sale Method. The six steps are Assess, Prepare, Position, Launch, Negotiate and Move. Everything that follows depends on what we learn in this first visit.

We go room by room, starting at the front door. We notice what a buyer notices first: paint, floors, light, smells, clutter, worn spots, small repairs, and how the entry and yard look. We also write down what is fine just as it is.

We look at homes near you that are for sale now, because they are the competition. We look at what similar homes have sold for. Then we talk about your goals, such as your move date, your budget, and what matters most to you.

For each item we choose one of four answers: Keep, Fix, Improve or Skip. The idea is strategy before spending. Improve what matters, skip what doesn't. Not every home needs a renovation, and not every update is worth doing.

Through The White Glove Home Sale Method, we handle painting, repairs, staging and deep cleaning at no additional cost to you.

No. A walk-through is a planning visit, not a home inspection and not an appraisal. The American Society of Home Inspectors explains that a home inspection looks at a home's structure and systems and does not determine market value. The same group also notes that a pre-listing inspection can help find problems early. We can talk about whether one makes sense for your home. Read Pre-Listing Home Inspection: Should Sellers Get One? to learn more.

Do not rush a big clean-up first. Leave things as they are, so we see the home the way a buyer would. Make a short list of repairs you already know about, and think about your ideal move date. For a longer plan, read Get Your Home Ready to List in 30 Days and The White Glove Home Sale Method in Arlington VA.

Will you tell me what my home is worth at the walk-through?
We review recent sales of similar homes and the homes competing with yours, then talk about price with you. Online and preliminary estimates are starting points. A property's potential market value depends on its condition, location, features, competition, market conditions, and other factors.

Do I need to clean first?
A normal tidy-up is plenty. We help with deep cleaning later.

Should I be home?
Yes, if you can. Your goals shape the plan, and you know the house better than anyone.

Call or text Claudia at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.