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Compass
200 Columbine St
Denver, CO 80206 -
Sallie Simmons
If you’re thinking about selling your Denver home in 2026, it’s tempting to say, “We’ll call a REALTOR® a week before we list and just wing it.”
That might have worked during the wild multiple-offer years. In today’s calmer, more balanced market, the homes that sell fastest and for the strongest terms are the ones that are intentionally prepared.
The good news? You don’t need six months and a full remodel. If you give yourself 30 focused days—and follow a clear plan—you can hit the market with confidence.
Here’s a realistic, week-by-week Denver listing prep plan that fits real life.
Before you touch a paintbrush, you need a plan.
1. Meet with a local Denver REALTOR®
This is where we walk your home together and talk honestly about:
What your home is likely to sell for in today’s market
Which repairs or updates are worth doing
Which projects to skip because buyers won’t pay you back for them
You’ll also talk timing: Are you aiming to sell before you buy, buy and sell at the same time, or move into temporary housing? Your prep plan will look a little different depending on your answer.
2. Create your custom prep list
Divide your punch list into three categories:
Must-do: Safety, obvious repairs, glaring cosmetic issues
Nice-to-do: Projects that will help photos and showings, if time and budget allow
Skip: Things that sound fun but won’t change your bottom line
This keeps you focused and prevents “project creep” from taking over your month.
The fastest way to improve how your home shows is to remove, not add.
In Denver’s 2026 market, buyers scroll listing photos first, then decide whether to come see your home. Too much “stuff” makes every room feel smaller and distracts from your home’s best features.
Focus on:
Kitchen: Clear counters except for a few intentional items. Remove fridge magnets and paperwork.
Living room: Edit down furniture, extra chairs, and side tables. Create one clear seating area.
Bedrooms: Keep only essential furniture; store off-season clothes and extra bedding.
Bathrooms: Remove personal products from counters and shower; keep visible items minimal and fresh.
If you’re overwhelmed, aim for one room per day and use three boxes: keep, donate/sell, and store. Remember: you’re moving anyway, you’re just getting a head start.
Once the clutter is out of the way, it’s time to tackle the projects that will show up on photos—and on buyer inspection reports.
Handle obvious repairs:
Dripping faucets or running toilets
Broken or dated light fixtures
Damaged baseboards, trim, or wall dents
Doors or windows that don’t open and close properly
Tackle a few high-impact cosmetic updates:
Neutral interior paint in main living areas
Matching, modern hardware on doors and cabinets
A couple of updated light fixtures in key spots (entry, dining, over the island)
In Denver’s older neighborhoods, buyers expect some character—but they still want the home to feel fresh, clean, and well maintained. You don’t have to erase your home’s personality. You’re just making it appealing to the widest possible audience.
This is where your home starts to feel listing-ready.
Deep cleaning:
Professional-level cleaning of kitchens, baths, floors, and windows
Baseboards, light switches, and vents
Inside of fridge and oven (buyers do check)
If budget allows, this is a great time to bring in a professional cleaning crew. It frees you up to focus on decisions instead of scrubbing grout.
Light staging and styling:
You don’t need to rent an entire house full of furniture, but you do want:
Balanced furniture placement (no blocking windows or traffic flow)
Simple, neutral bedding and pillows in bedrooms
A few plants, art pieces, and throws for warmth and color
Think: calm, airy, and inviting—not crowded, themed, or busy.
Curb appeal:
Buyers decide how they feel about your home before they reach the front door.
Clean up landscaping, trim bushes, and edge the lawn (if it’s the season).
Clear porches and steps; add a clean doormat and simple planters.
Touch up peeling paint on the front door and trim if needed.
Even in winter, a tidy porch and freshly swept walk make a big impression.
Now that your home looks its best, it’s time to capture it.
Professional photos (non-negotiable):
In 2026, your online presence is your first—and sometimes only—shot at impressing buyers. Quality, well-lit, wide-angle photos are essential.
Depending on your home, you might also add:
A simple video walkthrough
A 3D tour for out-of-area buyers
Twilight exterior photos for the hero shot
Final pricing strategy:
Pricing is a strategy, not a wish.
Review current competing listings and under-contract properties.
Look at where your home falls in common search brackets (for example, under 600k vs just over).
Decide whether you want to price at the heart of the market or at the very top of the range and risk more days on market.
In this Denver market, realistic pricing paired with a well-prepared home usually beats “let’s try high and see what happens.”
You’re almost there.
Work with your agent to finalize:
List date and go-live time
Open house plans (if appropriate for your home and neighborhood)
Showing rules: notice needed, blackout times, pet plan, etc.
Feature sheets and remarks: highlight what buyers in your price range care about most (updates, systems, outdoor space, neighborhood perks).
Think through how you’ll live in the home while it’s on the market:
A laundry basket you can toss loose items into before showings
A simple checklist on the fridge: lights on, toilet seats down, counters clear
A safe, consistent plan for pets
In the last 48 hours before you hit the MLS:
Clear surfaces one more time.
Do a quick touch-up clean of kitchen and baths.
Walk through your home like a buyer—from the curb to the backyard.
Then, reset your mindset.
Your home is now a product. You’ve done the work to make it shine, price it correctly, and present it well. From here, the market will give us feedback—and we’ll adjust only if needed.
Every Denver home and every seller is different. Some homes need more repairs; others just need a good declutter and fresh paint. Some sellers have three kids, two dogs, and a tight timeline. Others have more flexibility.
If you’re thinking about selling in 2026 and want a custom 30-day listing prep plan for your specific home, I’d love to help.
We’ll walk room by room, prioritize what really matters, and turn a stressful-sounding “we need to get the house ready” into a clear, doable checklist.
If you’re even thinking about a move in the Denver area—now, next season, or “sometime soon”—you don’t need a hard sell. You need a clear plan.
I offer a no-pressure Denver Real Estate Strategy Session where we’ll:
Walk through your timeline, goals, and budget in plain language
Look at what’s really happening in your specific neighborhoods and price range
Map out your next best steps—whether that’s buying, selling, right-sizing, or waiting on purpose
You’ll walk away knowing:
What your current home could likely sell for in today’s market
What a comfortable purchase price and payment range looks like for your next place
Exactly what to focus on now so you’re ready when the timing feels right
When you’re ready:
Visit salliesimmons.com to explore my Buyer and Seller resources
Or call/text me directly at 662.588.2420
Or send me a quick note through my contact form with “Strategy Session” in the message
No drama, no pressure—just honest guidance from a full-time Denver REALTOR® who treats your move like it’s her own.
Compass
200 Columbine St
Denver, CO 80206
Sallie Simmons