How to Prepare Your Home to Sell: A Week-by-Week Plan for Richmond Sellers

The work you do before your home hits the market has a big effect on how fast it sells and how much you walk away with. Here's the week-by-week plan I give sellers, plus what the Richmond market looks like right now.

Where the Richmond market stands

In July, the median single-family home in the Richmond area sold for about $460,000, up 2.2% from a year earlier. Homes went under contract in about 19 days and sold right at list price on average. Condos and townhomes took longer, about 37 days, at about 98.8% of list price (Central Virginia Regional MLS).

What that means for you: well-prepared, well-priced homes are still selling quickly. But buyers have more room to negotiate than they did a couple of years ago, so homes that aren't ready tend to sit.

6–8 weeks out: plan and fix

• Meet with your agent. Get a pricing strategy based on recent sales near you, plus a list of what's worth fixing and what isn't.
• Consider a pre-listing inspection. Finding problems early means fewer surprises and less leverage for buyers after they inspect.
• Handle the big items first: leaks, HVAC service, roof issues, electrical or plumbing problems.

4 weeks out: declutter and refresh

• Declutter. Pack anything you don't use every day. Clear counters, closets and garages look bigger.
• Paint and patch. Neutral colors help buyers picture themselves in the home. Fix loose handles, dripping faucets and burned-out bulbs.
• Boost curb appeal. Fresh mulch, trimmed shrubs, a clean front door and a new welcome mat make a strong first impression.

2 weeks out: clean and gather

• Deep clean. Windows, baseboards, grout and appliances. Consider hiring a professional.
• Depersonalize. Put away family photos, collections and anything very taste-specific.
• Collect paperwork. Warranties, recent utility bills, HOA documents and records of repairs and upgrades.

Listing week: show it off

• Professional photos, video and drone. Most buyers see your home online first, so this is your first showing.
• Stage key rooms. Focus on the living room, kitchen and primary bedroom. Open blinds and turn on lights.
• Plan for showings. Have a plan for pets, lock up valuables and medications, and keep a 10-minute tidy routine.

What not to overspend on

Big remodels rarely pay for themselves right before a sale. Put your money into repairs, paint, cleaning and curb appeal first. Talk with your agent before starting any major project.

Resources

• Virginia DPOR: Look Up a Contractor or Home Inspector License
• CFPB: Home Buying and Selling Resources

Thinking about selling?

I'm Dustin Olverson, an Army veteran and Branch Owner & Team Leader at eXp Realty-Richmond. My team will give you a pricing plan and a prep list for your specific home, and we market every listing with professional photos, video and drone footage.

One Dream Realty Group · Brokered by eXp Realty · 804-720-1286
Book a call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/investment-coaching-dustin/-meet-with-dustin-

Market data: Central Virginia Regional MLS, July 2026, single-family homes unless noted. Not intended to solicit listings already under contract with another broker. Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in Virginia.