The Launch Window

When your home hits the market, it's news. Buyers get alerts. Agents share it with their clients. Open houses draw crowds. This initial burst of attention is your best chance to find the right buyer at the right price.

After about two weeks, interest fades. Your listing becomes part of the background—another option among many.

In January 2026, homes that sold had been on the market an average of 59 days. But here's what that number hides: the homes that sold quickly likely received offers in the first two weeks. The ones that dragged on? They missed their window.

What Happens When You Miss the Window

Week 3-4: Showings slow down. You start wondering if you priced too high.

Week 5-8: You consider a price reduction. Buyers see the reduction and wonder what's wrong.

Week 9+: Your listing has "stale" written all over it. Even if it's priced right now, buyers assume there's a problem.

This is why launching correctly matters more than almost anything else.

How to Nail Your Launch

1. Professional Photos Before You List

Not after. Not "we'll update them later." The day your listing goes live, it needs to look its best. 90% of buyers start online. Your photos are your first showing.

2. Pre-Listing Inspection

Controversial take: get your own inspection before listing. Find the issues before buyers do. Fix what matters, disclose what doesn't. This prevents deals from falling apart at the last minute and gives buyers confidence.

3. Stage the Essentials

You don't need a professional stager for every room. But you do need to:

Declutter ruthlessly (if you're not using it daily, box it up)
Depersonalize (family photos make it harder for buyers to picture themselves there)
Maximize light (open blinds, add lamps, replace dim bulbs)
Define every room (that "bonus room" should clearly be an office or guest room)

4. Strategic Timing

List on Thursday or Friday. Why? Buyers browse on weekends. A Thursday listing gives you peak visibility for Saturday and Sunday showings. A Monday listing means six days of declining interest before the weekend.

The First Weekend Is Everything

Your first open house should feel like an event. Here's the playbook:

Schedule it for the first full weekend after listing
Market it heavily on social media, not just MLS
Make the home comfortable—temperature, lighting, even a subtle scent
Have your agent present to answer questions and gauge interest

Multiple showings on day one creates urgency. Buyers know others are looking.

Reading Early Feedback

After the first weekend, you'll have data. Pay attention to:

"Love the location, but..." means your price might be too high for the condition
"It's nice, but we want to keep looking" means you didn't stand out
"We want to think about it" often means they're waiting to see if something better comes along
Second showings are the best sign—they're seriously considering it

If you're getting consistent negative feedback on something fixable, fix it fast. If it's the price, adjust before week three.

Don't Waste Your Window

You only get one launch. One burst of attention. One chance to make that critical first impression.

If your home isn't ready, don't list it. A delayed launch is better than a botched one.

Planning your home sale?

Let's map out a launch strategy that maximizes your first two weeks. I'll walk you through pricing, prep, and timing—so when we go live, you're ready.

Schedule a Consultation →