Historically, the week of April 12–18 has been identified as a prime listing window, offering higher-than-average prices and faster sale times before the summer inventory surge. 2. High-Impact Preparation
Identifying and fixing "the uglies" early—such as leaky faucets or outdated smoke detectors—prevents buyers from using minor issues as leverage for major price drops later. One-Year Countdown Checklist to Selling Your Home - AARP home selling
The market is at its most balanced in nearly a decade. Sellers must be more flexible with terms, as buyers no longer feel pressured to rush decisions. Historically, the week of April 12–18 has been
The 2026 landscape is a "normalized" market, returning to patterns not seen since 2019. One-Year Countdown Checklist to Selling Your Home -
National home values are projected to remain relatively flat, with growth slowing to approximately 0.3% to 0.5% annually by the end of the year.
Aim to remove at least 50% of items from visible surfaces. Buyers need to see a "clear canvas" to visualize their own lives in the space.